Tennis maverick Nick Kyrgios has put months of speculation to rest by confirming he will play in the Australian Open next year.
The 29-year-old dropped the bombshell news as he spoke at SXSW Sydney on Thursday, where he also revealed new details about the severity of the injuries that have kept him almost completely out of competitive tennis for the last two years.
‘The injury I had was brutal,’ he told the crowd.
‘The surgeon said I probably wouldn’t be able to play again. But I said whatever, just try and get me another two to three years of my career.
‘Everything has gone semi-well and I will be playing the Australian Open this summer.
‘It’s been a brutal couple of years but just being out there to play in front of a home crowd … I just want to be out there, lighting up the crowd and playing in front of my own country.
‘Whether it is good or bad, it will certainly be a lot of fun, for sure. I’m looking forward to it.
‘My only motivation to come back and play is to try and win a grand slam, and I’ll give it one more shot.’
Kyrgios was speaking at SXSW Sydney (pictured) when he finally confirmed he will play in the Australian Open next January
The Aussie firebrand has only played one competitive match in the last two years after being sidelined by serious wrist and knee injuries
The 29-year-old (pictured with girlfriend Costeen Hatzi) revealed he asked his surgeon to give him two to three more years on the court to fulfil his dream of winning a grand slam
Knee and wrist injuries have kept the former Wimbledon finalist sidelined since just before the 2022 Australian Open, leading many to wonder if he would ever return to the court.
Earlier this week he officially announced he will return for the World Tennis League event in Abu Dhabi from December 19 to 22.
That will give him ample time to prepare for another Australian Open assault, where he has previously claimed the doubles title alongside fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Kyrgios has been working as a commentator during his enforced hiatus from the sport and has previously spoken about his desire to retire early.
‘I have beaten pretty much every person that has been put in front of me, made a final of a Grand Slam, won a doubles title in a Grand Slam, won multiple titles and made money,’ he said earlier this week.
‘But I think the one thing that is now on my target is a Grand Slam. I think that will be the only thing that will shut people up at the end of the day.
‘That’ll be my deep motivation.’
