In a sport where unpredictability is part of the thrill, Nick Kyrgios, the enigmatic Australian tennis star, has once again set the tennis world abuzz with a tantalizing hint at a potential return to the French Open in 2025, a tournament he hasn’t graced since 2017. The 30-year-old, known for his electrifying talent and polarizing persona, took to social media shortly after his birthday on April 27, 2025, to share his plans, igniting speculation about a dramatic comeback on the red clay of Roland Garros. “Just getting into training and getting ready to head to Paris in about three weeks,” Kyrgios announced, expressing gratitude for the flood of birthday messages from fans. “I really appreciate the love, the support from all my fans, family and friends.” His words, casual yet loaded with implication, have sparked excitement and skepticism alike, given his well-documented disdain for clay courts and a career plagued by injuries.
Kyrgios’s history with the French Open is a tale of fleeting appearances and outspoken critiques. His last match in Paris was in 2017, when, as the 18th seed, he defeated Philipp Kohlschreiber in the first round before falling to Kevin Anderson in four sets. That year marked his fifth consecutive appearance at Roland Garros, a run that began with his Grand Slam debut in 2013 at age 18. He reached the third round in 2015 and 2016, but his relationship with the tournament soured over time. In 2019, while training at Wimbledon, Kyrgios famously declared that Roland Garros “sucks” compared to the grass courts, even suggesting the clay season be scrapped. “Get rid of the clay, man. Who likes the clay?” he quipped, a sentiment that seemed to cement his absence from the tournament for nearly a decade. His last clay-court outing was a semifinal loss to Reilly Opelka at the 2022 Houston event, his only clay appearance since 2019.
The prospect of Kyrgios returning to Paris is complicated by his current circumstances. Ranked No. 635 with a 1-4 record in 2025, the former world No. 13 has been hampered by persistent wrist and knee injuries, limiting him to just one ATP Tour match since October 2022. His 2025 season began with a spirited doubles win alongside Novak Djokovic at the Brisbane International, followed by a valiant singles loss to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in three tiebreakers. However, an abdominal strain at the Australian Open, where he fell to Jacob Fearnley in straight sets, and a wrist injury that forced his withdrawal from Indian Wells against Botic van de Zandschulp, underscored the fragility of his comeback. “Realistically, I can’t really see myself playing singles match here again,” he admitted after his Melbourne exit, hinting that his singles career might be nearing its end.
Yet, Kyrgios’s recent comments suggest a flicker of defiance. His protected ranking of No. 21, granted due to his injury hiatus, offers a potential entry route, though he didn’t use it for the French Open’s initial 128-player draw. With the entry list already set, a wildcard would be his only path to the main draw, a prospect some deem unlikely given his low ranking and limited clay experience. Social media posts reflect the divided sentiment, with fans like @pavyg celebrating his potential return—“Nick Kyrgios on his Instagram today confirmed that he is back training hard”—while others, like @jmgmoron, express doubt: “He’s always talked trash about clay, and I doubt the tournament will give him a wildcard.”
Kyrgios’s motivation may extend beyond tennis. In 2022, he cited his then-girlfriend Costeen Hatzi’s desire to visit Paris as a reason for a planned 2023 return, saying, “My girlfriend just wants to see Paris. I mean, I’ll play the French Open as well.” Though that comeback never materialized due to a foot injury sustained during a car theft incident, his current resolve seems fueled by a desire to reclaim his place among the sport’s elite. “I’ve played well on clay, I’ve beaten Federer, Wawrinka, I’ve played a final on clay,” he once noted, referencing his 2015 Estoril final. A return to Roland Garros, starting May 25, would be a bold statement for a player whose career has been as much about spectacle as substance, promising to add yet another chapter to his unpredictable legacy.
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