The 2024 tennis season has just concluded, and the excitement from the year’s final events is still reverberating throughout the tennis world. Italy’s national team clinched their second consecutive Davis Cup title, a remarkable achievement, which capped off an eventful year of high-stakes action on the tennis courts. As the calendar turns to the new year, the 2025 season is already set to begin with a bang, with players eager to start fresh and continue their pursuit of greatness. The first major event on the horizon is the United Cup, which will commence at the end of December. This competition will see several top stars, including the world number 2, Alexander Zverev, take to the court for the first time in the 2025 season.
The highly anticipated Australian Open follows closely on the heels of the United Cup, and the tournament is expected to be a major focal point for the world’s top male and female players. For both Jannik Sinner and Carlos Alcaraz, the 2025 season will begin directly at the Australian Open. These rising stars have opted to extend their preparations for the first Grand Slam of the year, and they will use the early rounds in Melbourne to adjust to the conditions and find their rhythm. This choice comes after an impressive 2024 campaign, where both players showed that they are not only capable of achieving big things in tennis, but they have also firmly established themselves as future leaders in the sport.
While the season may be starting for most, it’s hard to ignore the absence of one of tennis’ greatest legends, Novak Djokovic, in the latter part of the 2024 season. Djokovic, who took a break from official tournaments, is now gearing up for his return in the opening week of 2025. After some time off, the Serbian is looking to get back to full fitness ahead of the Australian Open—the tournament that could see him claim an unprecedented 25th Grand Slam title and further cement his place in tennis history. To prepare for the Happy Slam, Djokovic is likely to participate in a tournament in the first week of 2025, with the Brisbane International standing out as a potential option for his warm-up.
Brisbane will also serve as the backdrop for the return of Nick Kyrgios, a player who has made headlines for both his tennis talent and off-court activities. The Australian, who has struggled with injuries in recent years and has only played one tournament in the past two years, is eager to make his comeback. Despite a long layoff, Kyrgios has been determined to return to the top of the game and potentially claim a major title before eventually calling it quits from professional tennis. The 2022 Wimbledon finalist, known for his explosive talent and captivating playing style, will be one of the main attractions in Brisbane, where he will look to reassert himself as one of the most dangerous and entertaining players on tour. However, it won’t be an easy task for Kyrgios to climb back up the ATP rankings, given his lengthy absence and ongoing recovery from injury. His return to the sport will be a highly anticipated event for tennis fans, especially in his home country of Australia, where he has amassed a strong following.
In the time since his last match, Kyrgios has stayed active in the tennis world in different ways. He has appeared as a commentator for several tournaments, offering insight into the game and engaging with fans in new ways. Additionally, Kyrgios has used his time away from competition to reflect on tennis and voice his opinions on various aspects of the sport. His observations have garnered significant attention, including a recent proposal he made regarding the format of Grand Slam and Masters 1000 events. The Australian has been outspoken about his belief that mixed doubles should be a regular feature at Masters events, replacing the traditional men’s and women’s doubles formats. In a recent appearance on ‘The AO Show’ podcast, Kyrgios elaborated on his vision:
“I would do mixed doubles at Masters events, because in what other sport can you get your favorite female athlete and your favorite male athlete competing on the same side of the net for good prize money? It’s not possible. You don’t see it in any other sport.”
Kyrgios also reflected on his experiences playing with some of the best female players in tennis, including WTA legend Serena Williams during the 2014 IPTL event. He went on to express admiration for other notable players, including Ash Barty, who recently retired and was widely regarded as one of the most talented female players in the sport. Kyrgios expressed a deep regret at not having had the chance to play alongside Barty, saying:
“I would have loved to have played with Ash Barty at some stage. I think she, by far, was one of the most talented female players to ever play the game. I think we would have done some damage on the court.”
Kyrgios’ return to competitive tennis will undoubtedly be one of the most exciting storylines of 2025. His comeback is expected to generate tremendous interest, particularly with his magnetic personality and flair for showmanship. Tennis fans are hopeful that Kyrgios can once again capture the magic that made him one of the most entertaining players to watch before his injuries sidelined him.
Aside from his potential in mixed doubles, Kyrgios has also weighed in on changes he would like to see in the format of Grand Slam tournaments. Specifically, he suggested that matches in the early rounds should be played as best-of-three sets instead of the traditional best-of-five. Kyrgios believes this change would make the sport more accessible for fans, as the longer matches in the first week of the Majors could become a barrier for audiences to stay engaged. His proposal has found some support among players, including Novak Djokovic, who has also agreed with the notion of shortening the early rounds of Slams. However, ATP chairman Andrea Gaudenzi has yet to fully embrace this idea. Kyrgios’ suggestion for a format change reflects a broader conversation about how to keep the sport evolving and make it more fan-friendly.
“I think best-of-three sets up until the quarter-finals, and from then on, it’s best-of-five. That’s what I would immediately change at a Grand Slam,” Kyrgios said during the podcast.
In his discussion, Kyrgios also referenced the famous encounter between Carlos Alcaraz and Li Tu at the US Open, where Alcaraz eventually triumphed in the third set. Kyrgios argued that changing the structure could dramatically impact the careers of up-and-coming players, as it would allow for more exciting, decisive moments in the earlier rounds.
While Kyrgios’ proposals are thought-provoking, some of his considerations about the impact of format changes may be a bit off the mark, particularly regarding the Alcaraz-Tu match, where Alcaraz won both the second and third sets. However, the larger conversation about improving the sport’s format and accessibility to fans is an important one, and Kyrgios continues to be a voice that pushes the boundaries of tennis thinking.
As Nick Kyrgios prepares to make his return to the court, the tennis world eagerly anticipates his reemergence. His unique playing style, combined with his charisma and outspokenness, make him one of the sport’s most polarizing figures. Whether he can make a successful comeback and fulfill his potential remains to be seen, but one thing is for certain: Kyrgios’ presence on the ATP Tour will add a new layer of excitement to the already thrilling 2025 season.