Nick Kyrgios Accepts the Reality of His Current Form After a Disappointing Loss
Nick Kyrgios has come to terms with the “sad reality” that he may never regain his former glory, following a disheartening loss in the Brisbane International first-round match against Aleksandar Kovacevic. The former world No. 13 was outplayed by the American, who won the match 6-3, 6-4 in just 66 minutes.
This was Kyrgios’s first ATP Tour singles match since March last year and only his seventh in three years, due to surgeries on his wrist and knees that have led to a significant drop in his ranking to 670 in the world. Despite the setback, Kyrgios remains hopeful of earning a wildcard entry into the Australian Open this month.
A Humbling Experience
Kyrgios, who reached the Wimbledon final and US Open quarters in 2022, has struggled to regain his form after a series of injuries. He played a string of exhibition matches towards the end of last year but was unable to carry that momentum into the Brisbane International. The Australian made 10 winners compared to Kovacevic’s 27 and rued a handful of loose points that led to breaks in both sets.
Kyrgios acknowledged that Kovacevic was “lights out” and a “hell of a player” who was difficult to scout due to his inconsistent playing schedule. Despite the loss, Kyrgios remains optimistic about his future, stating that he wants to “continue to play as much as I can” and use this experience as a “building block” for the rest of the year.
A New Perspective
Kyrgios has come to terms with the fact that he may never be the same player he was three years ago, citing the “delusion” that he was unbeatable during his 2022 run. He now acknowledges that his surgeries have taken a toll on his game and that he needs to be grateful for moments like his recent doubles win. Kyrgios will continue to play doubles with Thanasi Kokkinakis and is entered in the Kooyong Classic next week.
Kyrgios expressed his appreciation for the support he received from the crowd in Brisbane, stating that he feels like he’s turned a corner with Australian fans and media. He hopes to continue entertaining the crowd and inspiring young players to take up the sport.
Kovacevic, who finished the year strongly to reach a career-high ranking, admitted that Kyrgios was a difficult opponent to prepare for due to his inconsistent playing schedule. Despite the win, Kovacevic acknowledged that he was expecting a tougher match and was pleased to have come out on top.
