Australian tennis ace Nick Kyrgios shook off concerns about his surgically repaired wrist with a spirited doubles performance alongside Novak Djokovic at the Brisbane International on Wednesday. Despite their narrow 6-2 3-6 10-8 loss to top seeds Michael Venus and Nikola Mektic, the 29-year-old displayed flashes of his trademark skill and competitive fire.
Resilient Return
Coming off a taxing three-set singles defeat to France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard the night before, Kyrgios looked comfortable on court, hitting serves up to 200 kmh and showcasing his renowned touch and agility. This was a reassuring sight for fans, given the Australian’s extended absence from tour-level tennis due to injury.
I’ve got six holes in my hand and one in my arm (from surgery); not one tennis player has ever had this surgery and come back and tried to play again,
Kyrgios said following his singles match.
The recovery process has been an experimental one for the mercurial star, with no established protocol for returning to elite competition after such a procedure. While Kyrgios admitted to significant soreness, his performance belied any major discomfort.
All-Star Pairing
Kyrgios’ decision to take the court with 21-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic drew a capacity crowd eager to see the two stars join forces. While their contrasting personalities have led to clashes in the past, the duo gelled well, with Kyrgios’ kick serves and electric shot-making complementing Djokovic’s precision and poise.
The pair had victory in their grasp, but a costly double fault from Djokovic at 8-6 in the match tiebreak allowed their opponents to reel off the final four points. Despite the defeat, both players wore smiles as they congratulated Venus and Mektic at the net.
Cautious Optimism
While encouraged by his body’s response, Kyrgios remains pragmatic about the road ahead. He plans to return home to Canberra to rest and recover before deciding on his schedule for the Australian Open, which begins on January 16.
If the former world No.13 can maintain his fitness and build on these promising signs, a deep run at his home Slam is not out of the question. Kyrgios’ prodigious talent has never been in doubt; should his body cooperate, 2025 could mark the start of a stirring new chapter in his rollercoaster career.
Key Takeaways
- Kyrgios tested his surgically repaired wrist in a high-quality doubles match
- The Aussie looked sharp despite soreness, hitting powerful serves and showing his signature flair
- Kyrgios and Djokovic made a formidable pair, narrowly losing a match tiebreak
- The 29-year-old remains cautiously optimistic as he targets a return at the Australian Open
