Nick Kyrgios braves injury to return to training "against all odds" in preparation for Australian Open 2025

Nick Kyrgios is back on the tennis court. The mercurial Australian superstar has recovered from an abdominal strain to resume training ahead of the Australian Open 2025.

The development comes as a massive sigh of relief for his fans as doubts were swirling around his fitness, with little clarity on whether Kyrgios would be ready in time for the Australian Open. To put an end to speculation, the 29-year-old former Wimbledon finalist shared an update on social media after a training session on Thursday, January 9.

“Against all odds…… shhh,” read the caption on Nick Kyrgios’ post.

He donned a t-shirt of NBA side Boston Celtics for the training session. Here's the post:

The update comes a couple of days after Nick Kyrgios pulled out of an exhibition match against Novak Djokovic. Taking to Instagram to announce his withdrawal, Kyrgios posted:

"Unfortunately won't be able to play my good friend this Thursday on the 9th as I've had an ultrasound on my abdominal and have a grade 1 strain. Will be resting and doing everything I can to be OK by the Aus Open."

Nick Kyrgios to begin Australian Open 2025 campaign against Jacob Fearnley

Kyrgios, a crowd favourite, will make his first Grand Slam appearance since the 2022 US Open after being affected by a spate of injuries. Despite being out of action for a year and a half, Kyrgios had a direct spot in the main draw of the Australian Open 2025 owing to his protected ranking of 21.

While he was guaranteed a berth in the main draw due to his protected ranking, that did not assure him of a seeding. Nick Kyrgios will begin his Australian Open 2025 campaign against World No. 86 Jacob Fearnley.

Jacob Fearnley. Source: Getty

Fearnley had a breakthrough in 2024 as he claimed four Challenger titles and an ITF title to rapidly climb the rankings. Such was his rise that he broke into the ATP top 100 and earned his first direct entry into a Grand Slam at the Australian Open.

Nick Kyrgios, on the other hand, is on a comeback trail after a string of career-threatening injuries. Injuries to his knee, foot and more recently wrist and abdomen, have held him back for a considerable period. He played a few exhibition matches at the World Tennis League at the end of 2024 and started his 2025 season at the Brisbane International, where he lost to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round.