Nick Kyrgios has faced an uphill battle since taking time off to heal from his wrist, ankle, and knee injuries. After his last match in Stuttgart in 2023, he stepped away from competition, though he remained in the spotlight as a commentator for major events like the 2024 Australian Open with ESPN and Wimbledon with the BBC. His sharp wit entertained audiences, but he missed the rush of being on the court. Since September last year, Kyrgios has been teasing a comeback, but returning to competition proved tough. He faced first-round exits in all the tournaments before Sunshine Double – a tough pill to swallow, but he refused to give up. Now coming to Miami, has Krygios found a glimmer of hope?

On Wednesday, Kyrgios fought back from a set down to beat Mackenzie McDonald 3-6, 6-3, 6-4 in R128 at Miami. Kyrgios has struggled with injuries over the past two years and recently retired from the first round at Indian Wells due to issues with his surgically repaired right wrist. “It’s been a long journey, even to just get to the start line of matches and be scared to be able to finish them… but to come off and get a win and feel like I belong again feels pretty special,” he said in his post-match interview.

Before his return, Kyrgios battled knee and foot injuries for 18 months, leading to a full wrist reconstruction surgery in September 2023. The Aussie admitted, “I thought I’d never play tennis again. I was like, look, I don’t know how long I can keep doing this for.” It seemed like another short stint on the court for the 2022 Wimbledon finalist when he lost the first set against McDonald, but he found his rhythm, taking the next two sets. As McDonald’s final forehand sailed out of bounds, Kyrgios turned to his team with a gesture of relief.  He had won his first match after nearly two years.

The 29-year-old noted that this win gives him some momentum, but he remains cautious about his wrist. “This [win] puts some petrol in the tank but I need to be realistic and see how my wrist feels tomorrow because it is a grind out here,” he said. Next, he faces Russian Karen Khachanov, but he’s unsure about how much he can play due to his ongoing wrist issues.

This isn’t the first time Kyrgios has been vocal about considering hanging up his racket. Ahead of the Indian Wells Open, he was seen in pain during practice, clutching his wrist. Later, he spoke to Tennis Channel, revealing that he couldn’t “catch a break,” suggesting that post-surgery recovery might not be easy.

Kygrios gets real about his chances of competing at the highest level again

Nick Kyrgios’s determination to return to form is inspiring, especially after his emotional exit from Indian Wells. He faced Botic Van de Zandschulp in R128 and was forced to withdraw from the match due to trouble with his wrist injury. On March 7, he spoke candidly about his outlook on playing tennis despite the injuries. “I’ve never been a player to play all year round, but when I do play, it’s usually the best tournaments in the world. It’s the Grand Slams, it’s the Masters events, it’s the best 500s. I do enjoy playing,” he said.

Back in July 2022, Kyrgios reached his first-ever Slam final at Wimbledon. However, soon after that, he was forced to step back due to his injuries. Reflecting on his surgery and rehabilitation, Kyrgios noted, “When I had the surgery 18 months ago if I really didn’t want to play, I didn’t have to rehab, I didn’t have to try and get back on the court.”

Kyrgios’ passion for the sport remains strong, and he’s eager to make a mark. But he’s aware that the journey is anything but easy. “Del Potro, Thiem, and Nishikori… it takes time to get back at that level you once were at, and sometimes you might not ever reach it again. Thiem, for instance, was a Grand Slam champion, and yet, he struggled to make a dent on his return,” Kyrgios noted while talking to Tennis Channel on March 6, highlighting the tough road ahead.

The Aussie is now looking forward to his R64 match in Miami against Karen Khachanov – a match that could be pivotal in his comeback journey. Will he be able to advance?