Kyrgios' Journey to Tennis Redemption
Exhibition Event in Abu Dhabi
The exhibition event in Abu Dhabi from December 19 to 22 will mark Kyrgios' first on-court appearance in a while. Four of the top six players on the WTA Tour, including Aryna Sabalenka, Iga Swiatek, Elena Rybakina, and Jasmine Paolini, will be competing. Alongside them, men's world No. 4 Taylor Fritz, Daniil Medvedev, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Kyrgios himself will be in action. Kyrgios is on the Kites team with Paolini, Casper Ruud, and Barbora Krejcikova. This event serves as a prelude to his return Down Under.It's an exciting opportunity for fans to see Kyrgios back in action and witness his skills on the court. The presence of these top players makes the Abu Dhabi event a must-watch for tennis enthusiasts.
Kyrgios' participation in this exhibition gives him a chance to get back into the swing of things and prepare for the challenges ahead. It's a significant step in his journey towards a full return to competitive tennis.
Preparing for the Australian Swing
After Abu Dhabi, Kyrgios will return Down Under to prepare for the Australian swing. His first competitive tournament in 18 months will be the Brisbane International, which runs from December 29 until January 5 and will also feature Novak Djokovic.This tournament holds great importance for Kyrgios as he looks to regain his form and compete at the highest level. The presence of Djokovic adds an extra layer of excitement and competition.
Kyrgios will be aiming to make a strong start in Brisbane and build on his momentum as he heads towards the Australian Open. It's a crucial period for him to prove his worth and show that he is ready to compete at the top.
Doubles Reunion at the Australian Open
Kyrgios will team up again with Thanasi Kokkinakis in the Australian Open doubles. They aim to repeat their 2022 glory at the Grand Slam."Everyone loved it last time, we loved it, it was so much fun," said Kokkinakis. Their chemistry and partnership were evident in 2022, and they are looking to build on that success.
"It's definitely not going to be the priority for us [but] we feel like we owe it to people to get back out there and have some fun. It's not something we've practised, but singles is definitely the goal," added Kokkinakis. Their focus remains on singles, but the doubles aspect adds an extra dimension to their campaign.
Returning to Competitive Form
Kyrgios has not played a competitive match since the Stuttgart Open in June 2023. During this time, he has worked as a tennis commentator for Eurosport, hinted at retirement, and hosted a series called 'Good Troubles' where he interviewed star names from other professions.Despite the break, Kyrgios still has the ambition to win a Grand Slam title. His experience during the 2022 season gave him a taste of success, and he is determined to achieve more.
"I played that amazing year in 2022. Then at the finals in Wimbledon and US Open, that's when I started feeling some issues in my wrist. I had that wrist reconstruction and now I'm feeling amazing," said Kyrgios. His recovery and return to form are a testament to his determination and hard work.
"It was a 15 miracle per cent chance that I was going to get back to playing at this level and here we are. To get back out there in front of the home fans is going to be sick," he added. The support of the home fans will be a significant boost for Kyrgios as he aims to make his mark at the Australian Open.
The 2025 Australian Open
For the second year in a row, there will be a Sunday start at the Australian Open. The Grand Slam will get underway on Sunday, January 12 and will run until Sunday, January 26, with the first round now stretched across three days.Stream top tennis action, including the 2025 Australian Open, live and on-demand on discovery+. This provides tennis fans with the opportunity to enjoy the best of the sport from the comfort of their homes.
The extended schedule and Sunday start add to the excitement of the Australian Open. It gives players more time to prepare and sets the stage for some thrilling matches.
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