Yarra river

The Kooyong Classic: Nick Kyrgios has taken a significant step toward his long-awaited competitive return by confirming his participation in the Kooyong Classic, a key exhibition event that serves as preparation for the Australian Open.

The former Wimbledon finalist, now 30, has endured a torturous period away from professional tennis due to a series of debilitating injuries that have threatened to derail his career entirely. His 2025 campaign was limited to just five singles appearances, with his last competitive outing coming at the Miami Open back in March.

Currently languishing at 666th in the ATP rankings and without the safety net of a protected ranking, Kyrgios faces significant hurdles in securing spots at official warm-up tournaments leading into the Australian Open. He will require wildcards not only for those events but also for the season's opening Grand Slam itself.