Nick Kyrgios is back on the ATP Tour this year after a frustrating 2025 season that was heavily disrupted by injury.
Home favorite Kyrgios took on the Brisbane International at the start of the season, playing both singles and doubles.
He lost his opener in the former but won once and lost once in the latter alongside fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis.
The duo are planning on playing doubles at the Australian Open too, although Kyrgios ruled himself out of a potential singles wildcard.
Nick Kyrgios plans Australian Open mixed doubles with Leylah Fernandez
Kokkinakis may, however, be forced out of the Grand Slam after withdrawing from Adelaide, having produced a stunning win over Sebastian Korda.
Speaking of his compatriot’s efforts, Kyrgios told SBS Sport: “What TK was able to do last night is actually nothing short of inspirational to be honest.
“His surgery, it’s never been done in tennis before, he’s literally got an Achilles tendon holding his shoulder together. So to see him win and enjoying himself is amazing.
“I’m really proud of him. But yeah, if he’s able to just stay in one piece and then play some doubles, that’d be great.
“And I’ve got a bit of mixed doubles next week as well. I’m trying to play some mixed with Leylah Fernandez, which should be fun. I never thought I’d be going into the Aus Open only playing doubles, but here we are.”
WTA star Fernandez just played singles and doubles in Adelaide, having also played in Brisbane earlier in the season.
Currently ranked 22nd in the world, the Canadian reached the US Open final in 2021, losing to Emma Raducanu.
Nick Kyrgios admits to sleepless nights before playing Aryna Sabalenka
Along with his efforts on the ATP Tour, Kyrgios has been able to take on various exhibition events in recent times.
One of those involved playing WTA number one Aryna Sabalenka last month, with the Australian beating the Belarusian 6-3, 6-3.
Speaking of the clash in Dubai, he said: “It was not easy at all. Honestly, that was… I didn’t really sleep well for two nights prior I’m not going to lie, it’s a lot of pressure.
“But at the same time, going to Dubai and being able to sell out a 20,000 seater stadium, that was only me and Aryna’s real, I guess goal, was to go out there and give them some entertainment. And I think it did just that.
“And she competed well. I was 3-1, love-30 down in the second set. Like I was down, and she had some opportunities to take that second to be honest.”
Having just played another exhibition at the Kooyong Classic, Kyrgios also took part in the One Point Slam in Melbourne.
He fell to world number 117 Joanna Garland, but gave everyone watching a reason to laugh with a light-hearted racket smash afterwards.
READ MORE:Nick Kyrgios reacts on Instagram after Kooyong Classic win
