Nick Kyrgios, the enigmatic Australian tennis star, is set to make a dramatic return to the US Open in 2025, marking his first Grand Slam appearance since the 2022 quarterfinals. Utilizing a protected ranking of No. 21, the 30-year-old has secured a spot in the main draw at Flushing Meadows, reigniting excitement among fans eager to see his electrifying shot-making and polarizing charisma. Yet, with persistent injuries and candid retirement hints, speculation swirls: could this be Kyrgios’ final Grand Slam performance? As he prepares to take on the season’s final major from August 24 to September 7, the tennis world braces for a comeback story that could either reignite his career or signal its twilight.
Kyrgios’ journey to the 2025 US Open has been fraught with physical setbacks. After undergoing knee surgery in January 2023 and wrist surgery later that year, he has played only five singles matches in 2025, holding a 1-4 record. His season began with a first-round loss at the Australian Open to Jacob Fearnley, followed by withdrawals from doubles in Brisbane and a retirement at Indian Wells due to lingering wrist pain. A rare bright spot came at the Miami Masters in March, where he notched his first win in two years against Mackenzie McDonald before falling to Karen Khachanov. “I’ve had conversations with my camp and my team, guys who are leaving their families to be here with me. I was like, ‘Look, I don’t know how long I can keep doing this for,’” Kyrgios admitted in Miami, reflecting on the toll of his injuries. Knee issues forced him to skip both Roland Garros and Wimbledon, raising doubts about his durability.
Despite these challenges, Kyrgios’ entry into the US Open, confirmed via his protected ranking, offers a chance to recapture the magic of his 2022 season. That year, he reached the Wimbledon final, falling to Novak Djokovic, and made his deepest US Open run, upsetting then-No. 1 Daniil Medvedev before losing to Khachanov in the quarterfinals. His protected ranking, calculated from his average ranking before his injuries, allows him to bypass qualifying, though he won’t be seeded, setting up potential early clashes with top players. “I am coming back because something is keeping me around the game,” Kyrgios said last year, hinting at his burning desire to silence doubters with a maiden Grand Slam title. His recent doubles commitment alongside Gael Monfils at the Washington Open and a mixed doubles pairing with Naomi Osaka at the US Open signal a cautious but determined return.
Kyrgios’ outspoken nature and off-court ventures add intrigue to his comeback. A vocal critic of Jannik Sinner’s doping case, he has stirred controversy while carving out a media presence, commentating for the BBC at Wimbledon and hosting his podcast, *Good Trouble With Nick Kyrgios*. “I think the one thing that is now on my target is a Grand Slam. That will be the only thing that will shut people up at the end of the day,” he told reporters, underscoring his ambition to prove his talent transcends his reputation as tennis’s “bad boy.” Australian Open chief Craig Tiley expressed confidence in Kyrgios’ return, noting, “The confidence that we get about Nick playing is we know he’s doing more than he’s done before. We know that he wants to do it.”
The 2025 US Open field is stacked, with defending champion Sinner, 10 former winners, and 18 past Grand Slam champions, including Djokovic chasing a record-extending 25th major. Kyrgios’ history of upsets—beating Federer, Nadal, and Medvedev in their primes—makes him a wildcard threat, despite his current No. 640 ranking. However, his physical struggles cast a shadow. After his Australian Open loss, he admitted, “It’s not enjoyable for me to go out there and not think tactically, enjoying the atmosphere. It’s like what am I doing to manage my body, this is painful.” His decision to play in Washington and the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi suggests he’s testing his body’s limits, but his candid reflection—“I don’t think there’s much tennis left. My body can’t take too much of it”—fuels speculation this could be his Grand Slam swan song.
As Flushing Meadows awaits, Kyrgios’ return is a high-stakes gamble. Will he channel the brilliance of his 2022 run, or will injuries force a graceful exit? With a protected ranking opening the door and a fire still burning in his belly, Kyrgios’ US Open campaign promises to be a captivating chapter in a career defined by brilliance, controversy, and unfulfilled potential.
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