Nick Kyrgios: 'I have passed my peak years'

Repeated injuries have led Kyrgios to struggle and participate in just a few matches in the last two years.

Nick Kyrgios openly admits he will never return to his previous top form after numerous surgeries, yet the Australian player insists he has no plans to retire in the near future.

The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up recently made his singles comeback at the 2026 Brisbane International on the afternoon of January 6th, Vietnam time, but was eliminated early in the first round after a 3-6, 4-6 loss to Aleksandar Kovacevic. The match lasted only 66 minutes and marked Kyrgios’ first ATP Tour appearance since March. Statistics showed a clear gap as the Australian won just 10 winners compared to his opponent’s 27.

"The match went very quickly; Aleksandar is a high-class player and performed exceptionally well.", Nick Kyrgios showered praise on his opponent. "He played with great focus, is an excellent player, and definitely someone to watch."

His early exit in Brisbane came as Kyrgios is still awaiting a decision on whether he will receive a wildcard for the Australian Open starting January 18th. Without the wildcard, the 30-year-old will have to compete in the qualifying rounds next week instead of playing at the Kooyong Classic as originally planned.

Regarding his current form, Kyrgios believes he can improve if he competes regularly and avoids further injuries. Throughout his career, the Australian has faced serious issues with his right elbow, left wrist, hip, knee, shoulder, and collarbone.

"This is a good stepping stone. If I can play well in a few matches and maintain stable fitness, who knows where I might be in 6 to 12 months.", the "bad boy" of Australia said. "At this point, I accept losing."

Although he remains optimistic, Kyrgios also acknowledges that his prime period has passed. At his peak, he won 7 ATP Tour titles, reached a career-high ranking of world No. 13, and defeated every member of the Big Four during his career.

"I truly believed I was the best player in the world during the 2022 season.", shared Nick "the madman". "But after surgeries, you gradually lose confidence. That’s the reality of sports. You can’t stay sad forever, so I’ve learned to cherish the moments I still get to play."

Currently, Kyrgios is ranked 670th worldwide, but with his unique personality and appeal, his comeback journey continues to attract significant attention from tennis fans globally.