Nick Kyrgios is returning to the tennis spotlight. The Australian star has officially confirmed his participation in the 2025 U.S. Open, marking a long-awaited comeback after nearly two years away from the sport due to injury.
Protected ranking secures Kyrgios’ U.S. Open entry
Kyrgios will enter the 2025 U.S. Open main draw using a protected ranking, a mechanism that allows injured players to retain their ranking status for a limited time. Although his current ATP ranking has plummeted to No. 640, his protected ranking of No. 21, secured before his extended layoff, grants him direct access to the Grand Slam’s main draw.
This will be Kyrgios' first appearance at the U.S. Open since 2022, when he delivered a thrilling run to the quarterfinals. That same year, he reached the Wimbledon final, where he was narrowly defeated by Novak Djokovic in four sets, a performance that suggested Kyrgios was finally living up to his immense potential.
Injury woes and limited court time
However, momentum came to a screeching halt in early 2023 when a serious ankle injury forced Kyrgios to withdraw from the Australian Open. The injury sidelined him for the remainder of the year and into most of 2024. His only professional win since late 2022 came in March 2024 at the Miami Open, where he won his opening match before exiting in the second round.
Kyrgios' off-court ventures and comeback drive
During his recovery, the 30-year-old dabbled in sports commentary, joining panels at ESPN and Tennis Channel. At times, he even hinted at retirement. But Kyrgios has since made it clear that he's not done yet.
I’ve still got more to give,
He stated in a recent interview, signaling his desire to compete at the highest level once again.
Anticipation builds ahead of U.S. Open
With the 2025 U.S. Open kicking off next month in New York City, Kyrgios' return adds a layer of intrigue to an already stacked tournament field. Known for his powerful serve, magnetic presence, and unpredictability, Kyrgios remains one of the sport’s biggest wildcards.
Tennis fans will be watching closely because when Kyrgios is on court, anything can happen.