Nick Kyrgios has given the strongest indication yet he will be fit to play in the Australian Open, declaring his abdominal injury “manageable” two days out from the first grand slam of the year.
Kyrgios, who has been drawn to meet British world No.86 Jacob Fearnley in the first round, completed a light practice session at Melbourne Park on Jan. 10 morning.
The 29-year-old firebrand then got through a more vigorous afternoon hit-out with Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, who beat him in his comeback match at the Brisbane International.
Notably, Kyrgios tested his latest injury concern when he served to the French powerhouse during the hour-long session on John Cain Arena.
Kyrgios had previously avoided serving for fear of aggravating the injury, which led to his withdrawal from an exhibition event with Novak Djokovic on Jan. 9 night.
“I think it’s just part of the game, niggles. I don’t think anyone really feels 100 percent,” Kyrgios said.
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“As long as it’s not something like me wrist again, I think I can manage it.”
Kyrgios is seeking to contest his first grand slam since the 2022 U.S. Open because of serious wrist and knee injuries that kept him sidelined for most of the last two years.
The former world No.13 said it had already been an emotional return to Melbourne Park, where his best result is a quarter-final appearance in 2015.
“I haven’t been around this kind of grand slam and I forgot the emotions that you feel—the nervousness when the draw comes out or seeing all these guys in the locker room,” Kyrgios said.
“Our sport is truly strange. It’s the strangest dynamic. You’re literally showering, eating, spending time with your competitors that you’re going to go out and literally go to war against.
“But I feel at home. The Australian Open’s been an amazing event for me and for many others, but I feel back at home being at a grand slam.
“The preparation and the team environment is pretty cool.”
Kyrgios sidestepped controversy when asked to comment on rival Jannik Sinner’s doping ban and Novak Djokovic’s poisoning claims at Jan. 10’s pre-tournament media conference, but displayed plenty of his trademark confidence.
“I’ve beaten pretty much everyone that the sport’s put in front of me before, so I’m always going to back my ability,” Kyrgios said.
“People are always going to say ‘be realistic’ or ‘you’re not going to be the same’ but I unfortunately don’t have that mindset.
“I always have utmost confidence in my ability that if I’m playing my style of tennis and my unpredictability that I’ve got a chance against anyone.
“I think that’s the mindset that you need to have.”
Despite that, Kyrgios is wary of Fearnley ahead of his first meeting with the 23-year-old Scotsman.
Kyrgios saw his opponent in action at the Canberra Challenger tournament, where Fearnley reached the semi-finals.
“He’s extremely confident and you’ve got to be careful with these guys because I know players like me do have a target on our back,” Kyrgios said.
“These guys go out there trying to play their best tennis and I’ve experienced that.
“When guys go out there confident … they tend to play a bit higher or a bit better than their base level, so I’m not underestimating anyone in this event.
“Me personally, I haven’t played many tennis matches (in recent years) so I’m still trying to find my feet as well.
“But at the same time I‘ll do my research and I’ll be well aware of what he does well.”
