- Nick Kyrgios could play at the US Open later this year
- Novak Djokovic wants polarising Australian back on tour
- Kyrgios, 29, is sidelined with knee, wrist and foot injuries.
Nick Kyrgios has told Novak Djokovic he could return to competition at the US Open later this year, and the Serbian would welcome it, declaring tennis “really needs him back”.
After Kyrgios was left drooling in the BBC commentary box over Djokovic’s masterclass in reaching his 10th Wimbledon final, the seven-time champion revealed the Australian was hitting the ball as well as ever in their regular practice sessions.
“I can tell you that when we practiced, he (Kyrgios) hit a very good serve and said: ‘well, I could come back at the US Open’,” Djokovic told reporters.
‘I don’t know if he was joking or not, but let me tell you, he’s hitting the ball as well as ever.
“He’s very talented. He’s very good with his tennis. I think he said that his wrist bothers him especially on the serve, but he’s been increasing the load, the intensity and the speed.
‘He’s not going for full pace or a full-force serve, but he’s close to it.
“I hope he can come back, personally, and I think everyone in tennis hopes he can come back quickly, because we definitely need him on tour.”
Kyrgios has not played since withdrawing on the eve of Wimbledon 2023 due to knee, wrist and foot injuries that limited him to just one tour match all of last year.
Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios has told Novak Djokovic that he could finally return to competitive action at the US Open later this year.
The Serb (pictured in the men’s Wimbledon semi-final) was all for it, saying tennis really needs Kyrgios back on court.
But the 29-year-old Canberra ace revealed during his commentary during Djokovic’s straight-sets win over Lorenzo Musetti on Friday that he was looking forward to getting back on tour while also enjoying his newfound television gig.
“I honestly want to do both in the future,” Kyrgios said. “I love being here, watching and analysing what’s going on, but I miss being there.”
“You know the adrenaline that it produces. I want to give the fans something to remember, whether it’s good or bad. Physically I’m fine, I’ve practiced for two hours this morning.
“I’ve been playing with Novak every day, so everything’s been going well. Everything’s going well.”
Once the target Kyrgios couldn’t resist, Djokovic wants him back as soon as possible.
“He’s very positive. It’s nice to see him full of life, full of energy. He’s very excited to be here at Wimbledon enjoying our practice sessions and commentating.”
“He’s a very important player for our sport. I think he’s bringing in new fans.”
‘It’s kind of a bromance we’ve had over the years, considering we didn’t really like each other at all for many years. But now we get along really well. He was also really nice to my kids. He would play with them.
‘I think the return is close, but it’s hard to really say because it’s one thing to practice for one or two hours, but it’s a completely different thing when you’re on tour playing in a tournament where you have to come back every day, maybe for four, five, six days in a row.
‘I guess he won’t know if his wrist will react well until he actually plays a tournament either.’