Nick Kyrgios is being touted for a return to tennis after playing just one singles match all season, with the controversial Australian due in the lineups for Stuttgart and Halle in June.

The 2022 Wimbledon finalist who turns 31 in a week, has been added to the entry lists for the pair of run-up events prior to the grass-court major which starts on June 29.

Kyrgios, who has missed months on end due to injury and motivational worries, has played just one Grand Slam match since 2022, losing in the Australian Open first round in 2025.

His lone outing this season was an ATP defeat in Brisbane on January 6.

Nevertheless, the acquired taste is feted as a crowd-puller and will have German organisers on alert as to his eventual availability.

“Nick Kyrgios has been one of the most ‌dazzling ⁠personalities in world tennis for years,” Halle tournament organisers said in a statement.

“The Australian is known for his exceptional playing style, characterised by one of the best serves on the tour, ⁠spectacular winners, and great creativity.

“At the same time, his emotional personality and charisma attract considerable attention far beyond the sport.”

Stuttgart start the day after the Roland Garros final while Halle follows a week later in northern Germany from June 13-21.

An undisclosed injury will prevent Aryna Sabalenka from fronting up in Stuttgart as the WTA begins the spring clay season at its traditional indoor venue on Monday.

The world No. 1 who lifted the Miami Masters title in March to conclude the so-called American “Sunshine Double”, said that she would not be competing at the German venue, but revealed few specifics.

“Unfortunately, I suffered an injury after Miami and even though I tried everything to recover in time, I’m not ready to compete,” she said on Instagram

“I always love coming back to Stuttgart. The atmosphere, the fans and the support I feel there are so special to me, and of course, I was really hoping to have another chance to fight for that Porsche.”

Sabalenka has played and lost four finals at the event which awards a Porsche to the champion.

Main photo:- Aryna Sabalenka completed the Sunshine Double – by ISF Ltd

Alex de Minaur won the first ATP Finals match of his career on Thursday with a gutsy defeat of 2024 finalist Taylor Fritz, with the Aussie still in with a chance for the semi-finals after winning 7-6 (3), 6-3.

The Demon came to the court with losses in all five of his previous contests at the elite year-ender, but played well from the start to unsteady a seemingly nervous and anxious Fritz, the world No. 6.

He took revenge for a loss to the American in the group phase here in Turin a year ago.

Despite round-robin losses this week to world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz and a narrow defeat at the hands of Italian Lorenzo Musetti, de Minaur has mathematical chances to qualify into the Saturday semis. 

He will need Alcaraz to defeat Musetti in the evening match.

De Minaur seemed stunned by his perhaps unexpected success in 94 minutes after Fritz saved a match point in the penultimate game before the Australian threw down an ace for a second chance and then delivered a service winner to clinch victory.

“I’ve dealt with a good bit of heartbreak recently, it’s good to finally get a win in Turin,” he said. “I’ve worked really hard and it’s good to get some positive feedback or a reward for all that.

“I’m very happy with the performance today – it was a good match from the start to the end,”

De Minaur added that he is looking forward but seemed in some doubt as the eracuity of his chances to reach the weekend final four.

“I didn’t do much thinking about the what-ifs. I just committed to what I needed to do.

“There were some tough moments today but I backed myself. If it worked or if it didn’t I was going to leave everything out there.

“I’ve made my peace with that mindset. I put my best foot forward and I’m pleased with that.”

Fritz was burdened with 33 unforced errors in a lacklustre showing and ended his season 53-23 with titles on grass in Eastbourne and Stuttgart.

Main photo:-Alex de Minaur winning his first ever Masters Finals – by ISF Ltd