Nick Kyrgios admits “the stars have to align a little bit” for him to make a successful return after more than a year out of professional tennis.
While the 2022 Wimbledon finalist maintains he is hungry for a comeback, Kyrgios is now unranked after being sidelined since September last year with knee and wrist problems.
The former world number 13 had to undergo knee surgery in January and subsequently abandoned his plans to return to Wimbledon after tearing a ligament in his right wrist.
He said last week it would be almost a month before he could remove a splint from his service forearm and Thursday’s frank revelation that he would need some luck will come as a blow to his fans.
Commenting on the ATP Finals in Italy, Kyrgios remained optimistic he could emulate Alexander Zverev, the former world number two who is back in the top 10 after breaking his ankle at Roland Garros last year.
“The stars have to align a little bit,” Kyrgios told Tennis Channel.
“And Zverev, he’s an incredibly hard worker. That’s his reputation.
“He ticks all the boxes and if someone like him can come back from an injury like that, I think that’s where I have to take inspiration from, for sure.”
As well as reaching his first Grand Slam final at the All England Club, Kyrgios also made it to the quarter-finals of the US Open for the first time last year.
The 28-year-old said his superb 2022 season was the driving force behind his desire to make a successful comeback.
“After last year, I had a really good year and I’m so hungry to get back on the court,” Kyrgios said.
“So I’m doing everything I can to get back on the field. Obviously you know how common injuries are on a daily basis, it’s just about doing rehab, doing gym work.
“But being here and being able to watch the match we’re about to see (between Zverev and Daniil Medvedev) makes me want to play even more.”
PAA
