Nick Kyrgios is gearing up for an exciting comeback in 2025. After nearly two years of being sidelined by significant wrist and knee injuries, he took time off to recover. His last competitive match was in June 2023, but during his time off, he stayed connected to the sport as a commentator, showing up for ESPN and BBC at major events like the Australian Open and Wimbledon this year. In this time, he’s been eager to get back on the court. And now that the Australian Open is less than a month away, the time is finally here!

After a long-awaited suspense, it’s been confirmed that Kyrgios will indeed be coming back to the Australian Open for the 2025 season. On Friday, the Australian Open released the main-draw entry lists of players set to compete in Melbourne Park next month. Amongst names like Alex de Minaur, WTA’s Belinda Bencic, and more, Nick’s name was also there! According to the report, Nick is said to have used protective ranking to make his way back onto the court.

So, what exactly is a protected ranking? It’s a special rule that allows players who have been out of action for at least six months due to injury to apply for a ranking based on their average position during their initial recovery period. In Kyrgios’ case, after undergoing surgeries and being off the court for over a year, he qualifies perfectly for this option. Although he could have returned sooner, he chose to wait until he felt ready.

In an October appearance on The Louis Theroux Podcast, Kyrgios explained why he delayed his comeback. He admitted, “I could have already returned to compete and would beat 50% of players,” but he wanted to avoid repeating past mistakes related to his aggressive demeanor on the court. Known as the “bad boy” of tennis since his infamous 2015 Wimbledon incident, Kyrgios has faced criticism for his behavior over the years. He’s conscious of how that history impacts him and stated, “I know I will be criticized with every defeat I suffer.”

But his passion for tennis has not left him yet. Kyrgios is still just as eager to get back on the court as the rest of the ATP battalion. He has mentioned this multiple times, and he may raise the stakes of the match when the time comes.

Kyrgios shares his excitement for his 2025 comeback

On November 15, Nick Kyrgio posted an Instagram story declaring, “THE ROLLER COASTER IS BACK ON!” His last match, which took place in Stuttgart against China’s Wibing Wu, ended in a straight-set loss. But now, the Australian star is gearing up for his much-anticipated comeback at the 2025 Australian Open. Even last month, during an interview with News Corp’s Code Sports, he said, “I am coming back because something is keeping me around the game.” Expressing his determination to return.

With an impressive history that includes winning the men’s doubles title at the 2022 Australian Open and seven ATP singles titles overall, it’s clear why he’s excited. As Kyrios phrased it, “I have beaten pretty much every person that has been put in front of me,” and he’s eager to prove himself again. Kyrgios will kick off his comeback at the Brisbane International in late December and then will aim for his first singles Grand Slam title in Melbourne. He has made it clear: “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.”

However, Kyrgios knows he’ll face tough competition from top players like Jannik Sinner, Novak Djokovic, and Carlos Alcaraz. These top-ranked players all vie for the Australian Grand Slam title next season. So will the Aussie make a statement in 2025 and reclaim his place among the tennis elite? Share your thoughts in the comments below!