Nick Kyrgios concedes that “the stars have to align a little” for him to make a successful return after more than a year of absence from professional tennis.

While the 2022 Wimbledon finalist maintains he is hungry for a comeback, Kyrgios is now unranked after being sidelined since September last year due to knee and wrist problems.

The former world number 13 required knee surgery in January, then aborted his return to Wimbledon after tearing a ligament in his right wrist.

He said last week that it would be almost a month before he could remove a splint from his forearm in service and Thursday’s frank revelation that he needed a little luck would be a blow to his fans.

Commenting on the ATP Finals in Italy, Kyrgios remained optimistic about his ability to emulate Alexander Zverev, the former world number two who is back in the top 10 after fracturing an ankle at Roland Garros last year last.

“The stars have to align a little bit,” Kyrgios told Tennis Channel.

“And with Zverev, he’s an incredibly hard worker. That’s his reputation.

“He ticks all the boxes and, if someone like him can come back from an injury like that, I think that’s what I need to take inspiration from, for sure.”