Nick Kyrgios to return ahead of US Open after 'brutal' injury absence, pairs Naomi Osaka in doubles exhibition comeback
Published 20/08/2024 at 09:55 GMT+1
Former Wimbledon runner-up Nick Kyrgios hasn't played tennis competitively since June 2023, but he will be back on court this week in New York. Kyrgios, 29, will team up with Naomi Osaka in ‘Mixed Madness’ as part of Fan Week ahead of the US Open on August 20. He will also play at Ultimate Tennis Showdown against Casper Ruud this week as he makes his tennis comeback.
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Nick Kyrgios will make his long-awaited return to the tennis court this week in a mixed doubles exhibition with Naomi Osaka ahead of the US Open.
Kyrgios, 29, has only played one competitive match since the start of 2023. He has undergone wrist and knee surgeries since.
There has been doubt over whether he would play again as he has explored opportunities away from the court, including commentary.
But Kyrgios will be back on court as he joins four-time grand slam winner Osaka in ‘Mixed Madness’ as part of Fan Week at the US Open on August 20.
He is also playing Ultimate Tennis Showdown - another exhibition event - in New York this week.
"Hey guys, it's NK here," he said on social media. "I just want to inform everyone that keeps up with the UTS or any tennis fan out there that I will be competing on the 22nd of August at the Forest Hill Stadium in New York.
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"I know it's been a long time but my body is finally ready to get back out there and have some fun.
"I will see if I'm still able to go up against some of the best players in the world starting off with my old rival Casper Ruud. Casper, please take it easy on me.
"I can't wait to be out there again competing in front of all the amazing fans and hopefully I can still bring some life to the sport."
Kyrgios also commented on an old video of himself playing, saying: “The last 11 months was brutal. Genuinely thought I wasn't ever gonna play again. But this raw athlete doesn't give up.“
Kyrgios, who hasn’t played on tour since Stuttgart in June 2023, will be joined at UTS by Ruud, Stefanos Tsitsipas and Andrey Rublev. He faces Ruud in his first match on August 22.
Two years ago, Kyrgios enjoyed the best summer of his career as he made his first grand slam final at Wimbledon and then impressed in the US.
He is not currently entered into the 2024 US Open, which starts on August 26.
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