Pat Rafter said he wouldn’t be surprised if Nick Kyrgios makes deep runs in the tournaments in Australia next year.
Nick Kyrgios (Via Imago)
Former World No. 1 Pat Rafter is not ready to write off Nick Kyrgios who is set to make his return to tennis at the Brisbane International next year. Rafter pointed out Kyrgios’ physical limitations as he remained on the sidelines for years due to wrist and knee injuries.
So if in his home tournaments he makes a deep run, it wouldn’t surprise Rafter as Kyrios has the talent to do so. But Rafter also is uncertain if Kyrgios’ mind or body can hold because training is certainly different than actual matches so he doesn’t know how the 29-year-old would perform.
Kyrgios is a Wimbledon finalist, reaching the summit clash in 2022 and losing to Novak Djokovic. Since reaching the quarterfinals of the 2022 US Open, Kyrgios has played just two singles tournaments (2022 Japan Open and 2023 Stuttgart Open).
FS Video
During a Q&A on X, Gael Monfils was asked about the comeback of Nick Kyrgios. The X user asked whether the Aussie still has it in him to fight for Grand Slam titles. The Frenchman did not doubt that as he heaped massive praise on Kyrgios.
Monfils has met Kyrgios twice and both won a match each. The 38-year-old last participated in the 2024 Vienna Open where he went past compatriot Quentin Halys in straight sets before giving a walkover to Lorenzo Musetti in the fourth round.
Kyrgios on the other hand has not played a match since the 2023 Stuttgart Open. Despite remaining on the sidelines for months, Kyrgios was actively involved in tennis as he sat behind the microphone for BBC and ESPN.
He actively participates in tennis-related discussions as well and has been making headlines for criticizing Jannik Sinner, Iga Swiatek, and the International Tennis Integrity Agency (ITIA) due to the doping scandal.
