Nick Kyrgios keeps trying to get back on tour, but his body won’t give him a break. Just when the Australian tennis star thought he could make his comeback at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown, another injury hit him during practice sessions. At 30 years old, Kyrgios is running out of time to prove he can still compete at the highest level.
What’s Behind Nick Kyrgios’ Latest Injury Setback?
Kyrgios made his long-awaited return to the ATP Tour in late 2024 after being sidelined for approximately 18 months following his last match in June 2023. The extended break was primarily due to recurring wrist and knee issues that kept him off the court.
He secured his first win in 896 days at the Miami Open in March by defeating Mackenzie McDonald in three sets. However, following a straight-sets loss to Karen Khachanov in the second round, Kyrgios chose to withdraw from further competition for the rest of the grass court season. Ongoing wrist problems had already forced him to retire mid-match at Indian Wells, and the issues persisted through Miami.
Now, just as he was preparing for the Ultimate Tennis Showdown, another injury has disrupted his practice sessions. In a recent conversation with Naomi Osaka’s current coach Patrick Mouratoglou, the 30-year-old revealed his latest setback.
“I’m injured again. No, but I’m getting ready for the UTS. That’s all that matters. I had a knee injury maybe like 12 days ago. I was just in on the practice court and my right knee had a bit of a niggle and couldn’t play the grass season.”
Despite the setback, Kyrgios made an announcement about his upcoming schedule. He revealed plans to compete in the US Swing, though he expressed diminished confidence about his physical condition:
“But I’m going to play Washington and the US Swing. I don’t think there’s much tennis left. I can’t, my body can’t take too much of it. I’ll just play UTS for the rest of my life,” he added.
With Kyrgios planning to re-enter competition, questions remain about whether he can regain the same momentum that once helped him shine on tour.
Why Did Nick Kyrgios Admit to “Hating” Rafael Nadal on Court?
Beyond his injury struggles, Kyrgios has opened up about his complicated relationship with tennis legends. While he has a respectable record against Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer, the Australian star couldn’t keep his harsh feelings for Nadal hidden. In a recent interview, he revealed how facing the Spanish legend brought out the fiercest emotions in him.
“I could not stand it. When I saw Rafa walking on and off the court, it generated a great hatred in me; I despised him very much. Playing against Rafa motivated me a lot,” he said.
Kyrgios went deeper into his feelings, explaining how that anger fueled his performances:
“I felt great anger inside me, and always tried to play my best tennis to show everyone that I idolized him for his work ethic, that one can succeed by having fun and being calm. I never had similar feelings when facing Roger or Novok, for example.”
“What Rafa had were tennis illnesses with all that he did during the matches. Some of his gestures disgusted me. I hated seeing players who took a long time between serves, especially between the first and second serve.”
While Nadal now enjoys relaxation after his retirement from professional tennis, it remains to be seen if Kyrgios can make a stable comeback on tour despite his ongoing physical challenges.
