Nick Kyrgios’ road back to tennis never needed a grand announcement - the anticipation built on its own. For months, fans wondered whether they would see the Australian showman compete again, as updates on his recovery came in cautious intervals. But recently, something shifted. Kyrgios began carrying himself with a renewed sense of optimism, the kind that hinted his long and frustrating wait might finally be nearing an end.

Kyrgios was last seen in action at the doubles event of the 2025 Citi Open alongside Gael Monfils. Injuries have derailed his comeback season a bit. He has played just four singles matches this season and won just one of them. Not the season you would expect from a Grand Slam finalist (2022 Wimbledon). But just a few weeks ago, he shared a very interesting update about his knee injury. In an interview with the Associated Press, the Aussie revealed, “Something in the last month, I don’t know what it is. I was with my masseuse and physio last night, and something really has changed with my knee. Like it’s not swelling. It’s not feeling bad after a session… I don’t know whether to call it a miracle or anything, but my knee feels like it’s gotten younger by a couple of years.”

Now, as the tennis world inches closer to the new season, the stage for his long-awaited return has finally been set. The 2026 Kooyong Classic will officially mark the first stop in Kyrgios’ comeback journey. For fans in Melbourne, the new feels like a long-overdue reunion. The tournament will be held from January 13 to 15, three days before the Grand Slam season kicks off ‌a few kilometers up the Yarra River at Melbourne Park.

The tournament organizers announced Nick Kyrgios’ participation through a press release. They stated, “The 2026 Kooyong Classic continues to build momentum, with Australian star Nick Kyrgios set to return to the spiritual home of Australian tennis this January. A two-time competitor at the event, Kyrgios’ return brings a surge of excitement and anticipation as he prepares for a major summer of tennis.”

He is the tenth confirmed player joining a strong field, which features three top-20 players. Kyrgios will definitely want to try himself in these events before the AO. What are the other possible tournaments he may take part in before the 2026 AO?

Events lining up for Aussie star Nick Kyrgios in the next couple of months

Currently ranked 666th in the world with no protected ranking, Nick Kyrgios will need wildcards to play any of the ATP warm-up events ahead of the Melbourne Slam, as well as at the major tournament itself. But before the major tournament, there are a few other events in which Kyrgios will be seen in action.

For example, he has already signed up for the World Tennis League 2025, which will be held in India this time. Following that, he is scheduled to take part in ‘Battle of the Sexes’ alongside Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai on December 28. And then comes the Brisbane International, which kicks off on December 29.

The Australian summer has always had a way of calling Nick Kyrgios home. Even after a long stretch of recovery, doubts, and whispered questions about whether he would ever feel right on court again, something about January in Australia feels tailor-made for his return.

Previously, while speaking about the Australian summer, he said, “The Australian summer is always one of the most important parts of the year for me. It's playing in your backyard in front of all the Aussie fans. There's nothing better. My goal will be to play the Australian summer.” He had also hinted that this could probably be his last appearance at the AO (“I'll play one more time just for you, mate”) while speaking to Today presenter Karl Stefanovic. But will the AO be his last appearance at any Grand Slam event?

Well, probably not! In another interview with UTS Tour, Nick Kyrgios mentioned, “The last tournament I would like to play would probably be Wimbledon. For me, it’s the most special tournament in the world, so yeah, Wimbledon.” 

Do you think he can bounce back strongly and make the 2026 season a memorable one, unlike the one he had this year? Share your thoughts in the comment box.

Written by

Sayantan Roy

Sayantan Roy is a seasoned tennis journalist at EssentiallyTennis. He brings a deep tactical understanding to his coverage, breaking down head-to-head records, match dynamics, and on-court strategies with precision. For more than two years, Sayantan has been a key member of the Live Events desk, delivering real-time insights and data-backed predictions for the platform’s Matchday Preview section. His analytical approach has sparked editorial debates and drawn recognition from respected tennis voices, including commentator and analyst Olly_Tennis. Combining his experience in writing with a passion for insightful sports journalism, Sayantan’s work serves as a trusted reference point for tennis fans around the world.

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