Nick Kyrgios has come to terms with what he describes as the 'sad reality' that he can no longer reach the heights of his career-best 2022 season, following a swift defeat in his latest singles comeback attempt.
A Swift Exit in Brisbane
The mercurial Australian's return to ATP Tour singles action at the Brisbane International lasted a mere 66 minutes on Tuesday. He was comprehensively outplayed by a sharp American, world number 58 Aleksandar Kovacevic, 6-3 6-4 in their first-round clash at a packed Pat Rafter Arena.
This match marked Kyrgios's first Tour-level singles outing since March 2023 and only his seventh in three years. A series of surgeries on his wrist and knees have severely limited his court time and caused his ranking to plummet to a staggering world number 670.
Building Blocks and Bitter Realities
Despite the one-sided loss, the 30-year-old remained upbeat, framing the match as a necessary step in his long road back. 'I feel good and I'll try and use it as a building block,' Kyrgios said post-match. 'Not just for the Australian Open, but this year, for whatever this year holds, I want to continue to play as much as I can.'
However, he was brutally honest about the psychological impact of his physical struggles. Reflecting on his spectacular 2022 season, where he reached the Wimbledon final and the US Open quarter-finals, Kyrgios admitted, 'I genuinely thought I was the best player in the world. After you have those surgeries, I guess they pull you down and you don't have that belief anymore. It's sad in a way.'
The statistics from the match underscored the challenge. Kyrgios managed just 10 winners compared to Kovacevic's 27, with a handful of loose points costing him a break in each set.
Looking Ahead with Realistic Hopes
Kyrgios now pins his hopes on receiving one of the final three Australian Open wildcards, with his participation in the season's first Grand Slam hanging in the balance. He will stay in Brisbane to compete in the doubles alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis, hoping to build rhythm after their thrilling win on Sunday night.
He also conceded, without shame, that financial incentives remain a factor in his decision to continue playing. 'People out there think you go under the knife, come back and you're the same player. It's not how it is,' he stated, acknowledging the common misconception about athlete recovery.
His opponent, Kovacevic, who is at a career-high ranking, admitted he was prepared for a tougher battle. 'A tough one to approach, you don't know what you're going to get with Nick,' Kovacevic said. 'I was expecting a little more than that, in terms of adversity.'
For now, Kyrgios is trying to stay positive, cherishing the fan support in Brisbane and viewing each match as a foundation for an uncertain future. 'If I was to string a few (matches) together, who knows where I'll be in six to 12 months' time,' he pondered. 'Right now, I'm OK with taking a loss on my chin.'
