Injury concerns never seem to stop haunting Nick Kyrgios. The controversial Australian star, due for his Australian Open comeback after an 18-month injury hiatus, might again struggle in his opening round act in Melbourne because of his physical troubles. Ahead of Kyrgios’ much-awaited showcase against the Brit Jacob Fearnley, a former Aussie No. 1 assessed his game and talked about the serving restrictions Kyrgios could face.

Kyrgios returned to the tour for the season-opening Brisbane International on December 30. To hype the locals further, he joined forces with his ‘bromance’ partner, Novak Djokovic, for a doubles blockbuster at the ATP 250 event. Despite showcasing a thrilling power-up with the Serbian, the pair couldn’t move past the second round. Later, Kyrgios’s singles tie suffered a premature exit after he lost the opening encounter to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a close three-set clash. However, trouble was only waiting to knock on his doorstep after that.

Following his Brisbane misfortune, the Aussie withdrew from an exhibition match alongside Djokovic at Melbourne Park. He took to his Instagram and told fans that his ultrasound had revealed a grade-one abdominal strain. Though Kyrgios told Australia’s 7News on Wednesday that he “knows his body” and will take necessary precautions before his comeback to the season’s inaugural Slam, his compatriot Lleyton Hewitt highlighted how the fitness concern could compromise his biggest asset.

The two-time Major winner told the reporters in Melbourne: “He hasn’t hit a lot of serves either in practice, he’s had a slight abdominal issue so that’s gonna be the biggest talking point – ‘How big can he serve tomorrow night?’. For those unaware, Hewitt’s warning came days after Kyrgios confirmed that he would avoid practicing the serve for a little while to recover from the strain. He said, “I’m probably not going to serve for the next couple of days. It’s not too serious. I’ll just take it day by day and give myself the best chance.”

Despite suffering injury concerns in the first week of his comeback, Kyrgios believes his return to the sport came at the right time.

Nick Kyrgios asserts tennis became ‘mundane’ in his absence

Australian superstar Nick Kyrgios hasn’t played a Major since his 2022 US Open outing. The former World No. 13, currently unranked, believes that his Grand Slam comeback came at the right time because the sport had become a “bit mundane.” After miraculously recovering from a full rupture of the scapholunate ligament that often renders patients unable to gain full mobility, Kyrgios’s riveting showdowns can finally return to action.

Ahead of his return to the season’s first Slam, Kyrgios told the reporters in Melbourne: “I think we watch sport because we want personalities. Me being back, I think it adds a bit of question marks to what is going to happen today. I love that. Every time I step out on court, I don’t know if I’m going to be super controversial in a good or bad way. I think it’s good to be back. I think it’s important. I think the sport was getting a bit mundane.”

Kyrgios’ reputation for being unfiltered and outspoken could likely liven up the atmosphere at Melbourne as he prepares for his opening-round battle on Monday, January 13. Can the Aussie prove to be a dark horse in the tournament?