Nick Kyrgios has confirmed that he will be participating at the Australian Open but also revealed that it comes after he was previously told by the surgeon that his career was "probably" over.
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After having knee surgery in early 2022, the Australian tennis star aimed to be ready for the grass season that summer. But because he rushed his comeback, he sustained a wrist injury and ended up playing just one tournament in 2022 June before finding himself sidelined again.
Since Kyrgios' wrist wasn't recovering as expected, surgery was required. And when one of the leading Australian wrist surgeons opened the 29-year-old's wrist, that's when the real extent of his injury came to light.
"The surgeon said I probably wouldn't be able to play again. But I said whatever, just try and get me another two to three years of my career. Everything has gone semi-well and I will be playing the Australian Open this summer," the 2022 Wimbledon finalist said at SXSW Sydney.
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Kyrgios: Hasn't been easy but I know why I'm coming back
Just before picking up two serious injuries, the former world No. 13 won the 2022 Australian Open men's doubles title with Thanasi Kokkinakis and also reached his first Major singles final at Wimbledon.
With that in mind, the 29-year-old hopes it is not too late for him to return and accomplish his major goal of winning a Grand Slam singles title.
'It's been a brutal couple of years but just being out there to play in front of a home crowd ... I just want to be out there, lighting up the crowd and playing in front of my own country. Whether it is good or bad, it will certainly be a lot of fun, for sure. I'm looking forward to it. My only motivation to come back and play is to try and win a grand slam, and I'll give it one more shot," Kyrgios said.
