Nick Kyrgios is currently sidelined due to injury, but he understands the expectations that come with his return to the court.
The last time Kyrgios competed on the ATP Tour was over a year ago, in June 2023, as he continues to recover from a complicated wrist injury.
Kyrgios has been cautious with his rehabilitation, understanding the potential consequences if it doesn’t progress well. He is determined to avoid the fate that befell Dominic Thiem, who had to retire due to a similar injury.
Expressing his frustration with unrealistic expectations upon his return, Kyrgios highlighted the pressure and misconceptions surrounding his comeback in an interview with the Canberra Times.
“I’m expected to go win, which is bulls**t in my opinion. There will be players on tour that are ranked 40th in the world and if I play them in a first round they’ll say, ‘Oh Kyrgios should win in straight sets.’ The majority of people don’t understand. Everyone else is like, ‘Play for another five years.’ They couldn’t last one day.”
Despite the pressures and high expectations, Kyrgios is focused on returning to peak form and is determined to manage the challenges that come with his comeback.
“I’d say come train with me for a week and see how you enjoy it and then tell me to do that for another five years. It’s not like I hit for half an hour and then go win matches. Just getting out there and playing at a decent level again would be a bonus.”
