Nick Kyrgios has come to terms with what he calls a 'sad reality', conceding he will never recapture the heights of his career from just three years ago. This stark admission followed a swift first-round exit at the Brisbane International, where his latest singles comeback lasted a mere 66 minutes.
A Swift Defeat on Pat Rafter Arena
The mercurial Australian, a former world number 13, was outplayed by a sharp American opponent, Aleksandar Kovacevic, in straight sets 6-3, 6-4 on Tuesday. This marked Kyrgios's first Tour-level singles match since March 2023 and only his seventh in three years, a period ravaged by surgeries on his wrist and knee. These persistent injuries have seen his ranking plummet to a staggering world number 670.
Kyrgios's career trajectory has been dramatic. In 2022, he reached the Wimbledon final and the US Open quarter-finals, playing some of the best tennis of his life. However, his activity dropped off a cliff thereafter, with just one match in two years before a handful of appearances in 2023.
Building Blocks and Financial Realities
Despite the one-sided loss, Kyrgios remained upbeat about using the match as a foundation. 'I feel good and I'll try and use it as a building block,' he stated. '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.' He is still hopeful of receiving one of the final wildcards for this month's Australian Open.
The statistics from the match were telling. Kyrgios managed just 10 winners compared to the world number 58's 27, and he rued loose points that led to decisive breaks in each set. He paid tribute to his opponent's form, saying, 'He was lights out... a hell of a player, one to watch for sure.'
In a remarkably candid moment, Kyrgios admitted with 'no shame' that prizemoney remains a factor in his decision to continue playing. He reflected on the faded 'delusion' of being unbeatable during his 2022 run. 'I genuinely thought I was the best player in the world,' he said. '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. That's just the reality.'
Looking Ahead with the 'Special K' Experience
Kyrgios will remain in Brisbane to play doubles with Thanasi Kokkinakis, fresh from an enthralling win on Sunday night. He promised the 'Kyrgios experience' pre-tournament and felt he delivered 'half of it' in singles, despite a cheeky underarm serve. He took pride in the entertainment he and Kokkinakis provided, dubbing it the 'Special K' experience.
He also noted a positive shift in his relationship with Australian crowds and media, relishing the support in a city where he won the title in 2018. 'I've felt a lot of love out there,' Kyrgios said. 'I feel as if I'm giving them a good show.'
For his part, Kovacevic admitted the match was a tricky prospect. 'A tough one to approach, you don't know what you're going to get with Nick,' the American said, adding he had expected more adversity. Kyrgios's immediate focus shifts to the Kooyong Classic exhibition next week as he continues his cautious journey back to the tour.
