Nick Kyrgios has set his sights on a final, grand flourish for his turbulent tennis career, declaring his desire for one massive week or tournament as he prepares to step back onto the court after a lengthy injury absence.
The Comeback Trail Begins in Atlanta
The mercurial Australian talent is poised for a long-awaited return this weekend, playing his first competitive match in over three years. Kyrgios will face American showman Ben Shelton, the world No.9, in the inaugural Atlanta Cup invitational event in Georgia, USA.
This exhibition marks the start of a global comeback tour for the 30-year-old from Canberra. Following the Atlanta clash, Kyrgios will head to New York's iconic Madison Square Garden for another showcase match against American top-20 star Tommy Paul on Monday night.
He will then cap off the year with a unique Battle of the Sexes exhibition against women's world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai on December 30.
Proving Fitness for an Australian Open Wildcard
While these events are exhibitions, they carry significant weight for Kyrgios's future. Having plummeted to No.668 in the world rankings after playing just six ATP Tour matches since 2022, he requires a wildcard to enter the Australian Open main draw.
His official injury-protected ranking of world No.21 expired on November 10, closing the door on automatic entry. Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley has all but guaranteed Kyrgios a wildcard, citing his drawcard status and the immense public interest in his return.
However, Tiley emphasised the decision hinges on Kyrgios proving his body can withstand the demands of a full tournament. "We have been in touch around what he's doing in the summer and he's obviously got some plans to play," Tiley stated. "But it's going to depend on where his health is."
Training Like It's 2022 Again
Kyrgios, who reached the Wimbledon final and US Open quarter-finals in a stellar 2022 season, insists his training intensity has returned to those peak levels. "I'm doing an hour of conditioning every day, and then I'm on court for an hour and a half pretty much every day," he revealed before departing for the United States.
"That's how I was training in 2022. It's all about match play now. If I'm able to play these 'exos' and play these matches and pull up pretty good, then yeah..."
The Brisbane International, starting on January 4, is his targeted launchpad for a full return to the ATP Tour. This plan follows a miraculous recovery from career-threatening knee and wrist injuries that have kept him sidelined.
One Last 'Big Crack' on the Grand Stage
Despite the comeback, Kyrgios remains adamant he will not emulate the longevity of contemporaries like Novak Djokovic. He once said he couldn't see himself playing past 30, and he is sticking to that vision.
"No, I wouldn't see myself playing for like another like three, four years," Kyrgios said. "If I'm able to really give it a couple, or one or two years, a big crack, yeah."
He distilled his ambition into a singular, focused goal. "I think everyone knows I'm not a massive planner and goal setter. If I have one massive week or one massive tournament, that would be the goal. Nothing crazy there."
Kyrgios contrasted his approach with the relentless consistency of fellow Australian Jordan Thompson, acknowledging a different philosophy towards career longevity. As he embarks on this final chapter, all eyes will be on whether his body can deliver that one last, spectacular performance he craves.
