Djokovic Motivates Kyrgios’s Return

A motivational message from Novak Djokovic played a key role in Nick Kyrgios’s decision to return to tennis after two years battling injuries. Kyrgios, who underwent knee and wrist surgeries, aims to compete at the 2025 Brisbane International.

Kyrgios’s injury woes began with his withdrawal from the 2023 Australian Open for knee surgery. A brief return in Stuttgart resulted in another injury and a subsequent, undisclosed wrist reconstruction. The time off led Kyrgios to work as a pundit, while also contemplating retirement.

Kyrgios detailed the wrist surgery’s severity: four drilled holes, a string holding his wrist together, and swollen fingers. Immobilized in a cast for 12 weeks, he had to relearn basic hand functions, a painful and arduous process. Significant improvement came at the nine-month mark, where he felt close to his 2022 playing level.

Hitting with Djokovic proved a turning point. Djokovic’s observation that Kyrgios “didn’t look like he’d had surgery” was the final push he needed. This positive reinforcement affirmed Kyrgios’s progress and ignited his comeback plans.