Cocky Kyrgios: I’m back in the game and fans love it

Nick Kyrgios is back at the Australian Open for the first time since 2022 – and he wants the tennis world to take note.

The controversial Aussie missed all of the last two ATP seasons due to injury – with the exception of one match in summer, 2023 in Germany.

But now, the 29-year-old is planning to make his return for real, and will start at Melbourne Park against Brit Jakob Fearnley.

“I think it’s healthy that I’m back and I’m playing. I’ve always been someone that’s played my brand of tennis, and I guess my personality,” the former Wimbledon finalist said.

“I haven’t changed since I was 10 years old. Anyone that knows me knows that I’ve been just how I am now.”

The controversial player whose return last week resulted in a defeat to France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, remains convinced of his box office drawing power.

“It’s good to be back. I think it’s important. I think the sport was getting a bit mundane.

“We watch sport because we want personalities; we watch tennis as well, it’s that one-on-one aspect.

“You had to watch that person figure it out over a four- or five-hour period. You saw the amount of emotions that one person goes under. It’s like drama, theatre.”

And for Kyrgios, he’s one of the stars of the show: “For me being personally back, I think it adds a bit of question marks to like what is going to happen today. 

I love that. Every time I step out on court, I don’t know if I’m going to be super controversial in a good or bad way.

Throughout my career, it hasn’t always been good, but it’s added a lot of excitement to the game. I think it’s important. There’s so many good players on the tour now. I think there’s not so many contrasting personalities.”