Nick Kyrgios returns to Brisbane in 2025. Let's revive his 2018 title

11/19/2024 05:24 AM

After an 18-month hiatus, Nick Kyrgios will restart his career at the Brisbane Internation in the first week of 2025. The 2018 Brisbane champion has not played since June last year after undergoing surgery on his troubled wrist. The 2022 Wimbledon finalist is eager to make a fresh start in front of the home fans. 

Kyrgios feels positive vibes following his recent practice sessions, leaving the wrist issues behind and hoping for a good run in Brisbane and Melbourne. Nick sees his comeback as a gift after having only a 15% chance to recover from wrist surgery and play competitive tennis again. 

The Aussie returned to basics after undergoing a radical move, using U10 balls while letting his wrist feeling the rhythm again. Despite physical issues, Kyrgios has kept his mental composure, dreaming about competing in front of the home fans again and rising above all the obstacles. 

Nick struggled with knee issues in 2021, ending his season earlier and dropping out from the top-100 in 2022. However, he bounced back and played well in Indian Wells, Houston, Stuttgart and Halle, heading to Wimbledon with high expectations. The Aussie survived an early scare and reached his first Major final.

Welcome BACK, @NickKyrgios 🍿 🍿 🍿#BrisbaneTennispic.twitter.com/RpUEmzfsIG

— Brisbane International (@BrisbaneTennis) November 15, 2024

He faced Novak Djokovic and suffered a 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 loss after a notable resistance, finishing runner-up and reaching the US Open quarter-final. However, Kyrgios felt pain in his wrist and ended the season in Tokyo. Nick experienced the most brutal part of his career, playing one match in the previous 25 months. 

The Aussie underwent knee surgery in January 2023 and tore a ligament in his right wrist in June. He lost in the first match in Stuttgart and has stayed away from the court ever since. Now, Nick is ready for another push, training and feeling good on the practice court ahead of his first official matches in Brisbane. 

Kyrgios debuted in Brisbane in 2013, falling to James Duckworth in the first qualifying round. He returned five years later and lifted a trophy despite dealing with knee issues. He skipped the first round and faced his compatriot Matthew Ebden in the second.

The younger Aussie prevailed 6-7, 7-6, 6-2, standing three points away from losing before taking charge in the decider. The home player made a slow start against Alexandr Dolgopolov in the quarter-final before winning 1-6, 6-3, 6-4 for a place in the last four.

Alexandr served well in the opener and clinched a double break for a perfect start. Nick raised his level from the second set, serving well and breaking his rival two times to seal the deal. Kyrgios had to dig deep against Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-final, scoring a 3-6, 6-1, 6-4 win for a place in the final.

The Bulgarian served well in the opener and brought it home with a single break. The Aussie responded with a double break in the second set and served well in the third.

He earning a break in the seventh game and emerged at the top with a hold at 5-4, booking his spot in the title clash. Nick faced Ryan Harrison in the final and delivered a 6-4, 6-2 triumph in 73 minutes for his fourth ATP title and the first in 14 months. Kyrgios took charge in the middle of the opening set to seal the deal in style. 

Nick and Ryan met for the third time, and the Aussie extended his perfect run against the American. Harrison made a solid start, attacking and pressuring Kyrgios' backhand. Nick defended five break points in games two and six before taking charge, serving well and challenging his rival to follow that pace. 

Ryan lost the ground after missing those chances, standing inferior in the exchanges for the rest of the duel and suffering three breaks to finish runner-up. Nick served at 71% and dropped 14 points in nine service games, 12 in the opening three and only two in the remaining ones!

He created seven break chances and seized three to control the scoreboard. The Aussie led 26-18 in service winners and 14-10 in the direct points from the field. Kyrgios stayed on nine unforced errors and welcomed 13 from his opponent, with ten forced mistakes on each side. 

The pace was fast and fluid, with 71% of the points ending in the shortest range up to four strokes. Nick forged a 47-34 advantage, earning the trophy in that segment. The home favorite clinched 15 of 26 rallies with five to eight strokes and had a slim 4-3 advantage in the most advanced exchanges. 

The Aussie saved two break points in the second game of the match, saving them and avoiding an early setback. Nick struggled again at 2-3, playing against three break points and surviving, defending two with service winners. Kyrgios took charge on the return in the seventh game. 

He fired two forehand winners for a break and a 4-3 advantage. Nick served for the opener in game ten and fired three service winners for 6-4 in 37 minutes. The American sprayed errors at 1-1 in the second set, hitting a double fault and losing serve to fall 2-1 behind.

The Aussie fired three winners in the fourth game to cement the lead. He welcomed six errors from his opponent in the next one, earning another break and opening a 4-1 gap. Kyrgios fired three winners in the sixth game for 5-1 and served for the title at 5-2. Nick landed an ace to seal the deal in style and celebrate his fourth ATP title.