Nick Kyrgios now wants to win a Grand Slam title for which he will return to competition after a lengthy injury layoff. Nick Kyrgios, the 29-year-old, who suffered from injuries on his knees, feet, and wrists, has played only one single match on the ATP Tour in the past couple of years. Still, though, Kyrgios is keen to prove his tormentors wrong by winning one of tennis's most desired trophies.
Kyrgios recently opened up about the barrage of criticism he has received during a conversation on News Corp's Code Sports podcast. "I am coming back because something is keeping me around the game," he said. "I have been able to beat pretty much every person that has been put in front of me, make a final of a Grand Slam, win a doubles title in a Grand Slam, win multiple titles, and make money. I think the one thing that is now on my target is a Grand Slam. I think that will be the only thing that will shut people up at the end of the day."
At one time, a then-former world number 13 Kyrgios tantalizingly came close to fulfilling his Grand Slam dream when, last year, he reached the Wimbledon final only to be defeated by Novak Djokovic. Now, after long-time rival Rafael Nadal's retirement and Djokovic coming up on the twilight of his career, Kyrgios presents himself with a great opportunity to take the mark. "The game is the most open it has ever been," he said, noting that the shifting landscape of men's tennis could work in his favor as the sport's dominant figures start to step aside.
While Kyrgios has long possessed the talent to back up his lofty heights, he has for years been a polarizing figure on the court, known for his fiery on-court behavior and unpredictable temperament. As a young player, he was categorized as the "bad boy" of tennis, though he believes now that he has outgrown that tag. According to Kyrgios, "I guess I was branded that just because I was a bit outside the circle of what a normal tennis player is.". "I don't think I carry that perception with the Aussie public anymore. But at the start of my career, people thought I was like a murderer."
Kyrgios has extended his break from the tour to forgo the Davis Cup tie against India in November, but he will be in action in December, playing at the World Tennis League event in Abu Dhabi ahead of the Australian Open in January. Australian Open chief Craig Tiley expressed optimism about Kyrgios's return. "The main draw, yes. He would be in there, most likely through a protected ranking or potentially a wildcard." We know that he wants to do it." The need to prove himself and eventually win a Grand Slam is ahead of 2024, which has re-flamed his competitive fire. The Australian maverick thus has one challenge in mind: to silence the critics once and for all as the world watches.
