Martina Navratilova gives verdict on Nick Kyrgios' Australian Open chances

Nick Kyrgios is back at a Grand Slam for the first time since 2022. The former World No. 13 begins his Australian Open 2025 campaign against Jacob Fearnley on Monday, January 13.

It’s been a long comeback trail for the Australian, who has fought multiple injuries to get back in shape to compete in the year’s first Major.

Tennis great Martina Navratilova feels Kyrgios' long absence, which included an 18-month injury layoff, could pose a challenge as he returns to top-level competition.

Navratilova said on the Tennis Channel:

“It’s going to be tough for Nick. He is such a performer, but he has not played for two years. The body has been a bit iffy as well, he has had some niggles already and hardly played some matches. It’s going to be a tough one for Nick.”

Nick Kyrgios underwent wrist surgery and is making a comeback after 18 months. He faced another setback earlier this week when he suffered an abdominal strain and had to withdraw from an exhibition game against Novak Djokovic.

Navratilova said Kyrgios’ physical fitness will be important in the coming days.

“Obviously, he has got a much better game but I don’t know if he can hang in there physically. Not having played for that long, not easy,” she added.

---

Nick Kyrgios’ form going into the Australian Open

Kyrgios began his season at the Brisbane International, where he competed in the men’s singles and doubles. He lost a tight three-setter against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard but required medical attention on the court for his wrist and that sparked conversation on whether he was fully fit for the Australian Open 2025.

He partnered Djokovic in the doubles and the duo lost to top seeds Michael Venus and Nikola Mektic in the Round of 16.

Nick Kyrgios was then slated to play Djokovic in an exhibition match this week but pulled out of that to get an abdominal scan. Despite the fear, Kyrgios was back to the training courts and in a pre-tournament press conference insisted that he was ready to compete at the Slam.

"I feel like I haven't been away from the game. Competitively I have been, but I don't feel like that. I feel like I've been playing more tennis, more than ever. I think me trying to emulate the match load in training, the body getting used to it again, anyone that has had an injury that's kept them out of the game for a year plus know that it's so hard to load manage, because you're trying to get ready for the match intensity," he said.

Nick Kyrgios will hope to put all the injury talk behind him when he walks onto the John Cain Arena on Monday.