Nick Kyrgios has finally snapped a painful four-year victory drought on home soil, grinding out a hard-fought win at Melbourne's Kooyong Classic exhibition event.
A Long-Awaited Return to the Winner's Circle
The mercurial Canberran needed 1456 days to taste singles success in Australia again, a barren stretch he ended on Tuesday with a 6-3, 4-6, 11-9 triumph over China's Zhang Zhizhen. His last victory on home courts came in the first round of the 2022 Australian Open against Britain's Liam Broady.
Speaking after the match, a relieved but weary Kyrgios was brutally honest about his physical state. "Honestly, I felt like a truck," he admitted in his on-court interview. "I wasn't moving great, but it was a bit of fun just to get back out here... to have a win of some sort, I don't win too much these days, so I'm just glad to be out here."
Despite the physical struggles, Kyrgios soaked up the support from the local crowd, declaring the energy from the fans as "incredible" and "really special."
Injury Battles and a Shift in Focus
The win marks a significant psychological milestone for the 30-year-old, whose career has been derailed by a series of serious injuries since his spectacular 2022 season. That year, he not only reached the Wimbledon singles final but also clinched the Australian Open men's doubles crown with close friend Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Persistent knee and wrist problems have since kept him off the court for long periods, making a return to his former top-20 form an arduous journey. His recent path back has included exhibition matches and a first-round doubles win in Brisbane, again partnering with Kokkinakis.
Kyrgios confirmed he has no regrets about withdrawing from Australian Open singles wildcard contention following his early exit in Brisbane last week. His focus is now firmly on the doubles events at Melbourne Park.
Doubles Dream Team Reunites at Melbourne Park
The 'Special Ks' partnership will be reignited for the Australian Open men's doubles, and Kyrgios is bullish about their chances. "I'm really looking forward to getting out there again with Thanasi," he said. "The way we played in Brisbane, I do feel like we've got a genuine chance of doing something special."
In addition to the men's doubles, Kyrgios will team up with Canadian star Leylah Fernandez in the mixed doubles competition, adding another layer of intrigue to his grand slam campaign.
While the road back to the pinnacle of singles tennis remains long, Tuesday's victory at Kooyong represents a crucial and symbolic first step for one of Australian sport's most captivating figures.
