Nick Kyrgios has marked his return to professional tennis with a victory at the Miami Open, his first win in two and a half years. The 29-year-old Australian faced American Mackenzie McDonald and overcame a rocky start to clinch the match 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Kyrgios initially struggled, losing the first nine points and being broken in his opening service game, prompting visible frustration. However, he managed to bounce back and take control of the second and third sets, securing the win. This victory signifies a monumental achievement for Kyrgios, who hadn’t won a match since October 2022, during which he faced four losses—including a retirement due to injury—and one walkover.
The pathway back to competitive form has been challenging for Kyrgios, following his successful run to the Wimbledon final in 2022, where he lost to Novak Djokovic. Throughout this year, he has dealt with significant injury setbacks, including issues with his wrist and a side strain that affected his performance at the Australian Open, where he was eliminated by Jacob Fearnley. In a subsequent tournament at Indian Wells, he was forced to retire in the first round, leading to doubts about his ability to remain competitive on the ATP Tour.
Upon securing match point against McDonald, Kyrgios displayed noticeable relief. A commentator aptly remarked, “The wait is over,” acknowledging the long journey back and the hard work that went into his rehabilitation. After the match, Kyrgios expressed how “special” the victory felt, reflecting on the difficulties he faced with his wrist over the previous six months. He recognised the challenge posed by McDonald, noting the adjustments he needed to make regarding ball speed after so much time away from the court.
Kyrgios admitted he had moments of doubt about returning to tennis, stating, “I thought I would never play tennis again, to be brutally honest.” He also spoke about his support team, who dedicated time and effort to assist him on his comeback journey. Looking ahead, he acknowledged the need for realistic expectations regarding his wrist’s condition moving forward.
Next up, Kyrgios is set to face the formidable Russian player Karen Khachanov, as he hopes to build on this newfound momentum in his career.