Despite securing a triumphant return to the court with his first victory in over two years, Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has suggested that his participation in the ongoing Miami Open might be cut short. Kyrgios, a former world number 13, staged an impressive comeback to defeat qualifier Mackenzie McDonald 3-6 6-3 6-4 on Wednesday, mere days after an injury led to his emotional withdrawal from Indian Wells.
A two-year hiatus plagued by wrist and knee injuries had cast a shadow on Kyrgios’ professional tennis future. Even though this long-awaited victory has injected a fresh dose of motivation, Kyrgios remains circumspect about his wrist’s condition as he gears up for his next match.
After being sidelined for two years, Kyrgios’ return to professional tennis in January was anything but smooth. Early exits from the Brisbane International and Australian Open marked a rocky start to his comeback journey. His next appearance was only at Indian Wells earlier this month, where he was forced to retire while trailing Botic van de Zandschulp in the first round.
However, the resilient 29-year-old bounced back swiftly to participate in the Miami Open, securing his first victory since October 2022. Kyrgios is set to clash with Karen Khachanov next, in a thrilling rematch of their US Open quarter-final from two-and-a-half years ago — a match that Khachanov won.
Despite this promising trajectory, Kyrgios has hinted at possible withdrawal from the Miami Open, citing concerns about his wrist. “To be brutally honest with you, there was a time when I thought I’d never play tennis again,” Kyrgios confessed after his comeback victory against McDonald.
His team, who have been by his side throughout his recovery, have been privy to Kyrgios’ struggles. “I was like, ‘Look, I don’t know how long I can keep doing this for’,” he revealed. Despite the victory’s morale boost, Kyrgios remains cautious and intends to assess his wrist’s condition post-match.
Reiterating his concerns to Sky Sports, Kyrgios acknowledged the constant discomfort. The plan now is recovery and wait-and-see, with an emphasis on physiotherapy and rest.
Kyrgios underwent a “full wrist reconstruction” surgery in September 2023, which required months of rehabilitation before he could play again. Despite his January comeback, his wrist has continued to be a source of concern. Earlier this year, he reported feeling a “throbbing” sensation during his comeback match in Brisbane.
A recent practice session in Indian Wells was also cut short due to wrist pain. After his first-round retirement, he admitted to being uncertain about his ability to play. “[My wrist] just got progressively worse. I started feeling sharp pain,” Kyrgios stated.
The seven-time title winner has made an admirable recovery since his withdrawal from Indian Wells just 12 days ago. However, whether he will continue to battle it out in Miami after this hard-fought victory remains uncertain.
