Kyrgios exits in Brisbane return to tennis

Nick Kyrgios couldn’t stand the heat from 36 aces as the Australian’s return to tennis after two injury seasons began with a  7-6 (7), 6-7 (4), 7-6 (3) loss to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard on Tuesday.

Defeat in two and a half hours at the Brisbane International marked the first ATP match for the controversial Australian since he lost 18 months ago in Stuttgart.

The 2022 Wimbledon finalist whose patchy career has been marred by injury, temper outbursts and social media flame wars with other players is still in the doubles with former enemy and now mate Novak Djokovic.

Kyrgios managed 15 aces against his 21-year-old French opponent ranked 31st, with all three sets going into deciders.

The rising Frenchman finished the just-concluded season with a Basel title and a 6-1 concluding run.

“It was a good match for me,” the winner said, who added that Kyrgios treated him “with respect.”

“My serving was not bad, but I knew it would be a serving contest. I just needed to do a good job.”

Kyrgios, 29, and ranked outside the top 1000, has not won a Tour match since October, 2022 in Tokyo.

He will be playing on a wild card at the Australian Open.

Main photo:- Nick Kyrgios now “mates” with his Wimbledon 2022 opponent Novak Djokovic – by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd