Nick Kyrgios is set to return to tennis later this month, having been out of action for over a year.
There have been few returns more eagerly anticipated than that of Kyrgios’, who is now just a few short weeks away from stepping back on to the court.
Injuries have seen Kyrgios out of action on the ATP Tour since 2023, when he lost in the opening round of the Stuttgart Open.
Kyrgios will return at the Brisbane International, where he will play singles, as well as doubles alongside 24-time Major champion Novak Djokovic.
Fans are excited to see one of the world’s best return to tennis, as one ATP star has now made a big claim about one of Kyrgios’s finest shots.
Jack Draper says he would rather have Nick Kyrgios’ serve than Andy Murray’s lob
Speaking in an interview with Sky Sports, British number one Jack Draper was asked to pick between Kyrgios’ serve, Andy Murray’s lob, and Carlos Alcaraz’s drop shot.
“It’s just that the drop shot and the lob are incredibly good skills but if I was to pick one it has to be [Nick] Kyrgios’s serve,” he said.
“I am quite decisive about this one.
“It’s the biggest shot in the game, the serve or the return.
“His serve is one of the best of all time, it is world class.
“So if I had to pick one it would be the Kyrgios serve.”
Kyrgios’ serve is one of the best in men’s tennis, often performing well in several metrics on the ATP Tour.
For the Australian’s last full year on the ATP Tour, in 2022, Kyrgios ranked second in ‘Serve rating’, only behind serving legend John Isner.
He’s not just known for thunderous aces, however, as the 29-year-old has also gained notoriety for tricking opponents with his underarm serves.
Never afraid to try the move regardless of the occasion, Kyrgios once hit an underarm serve against the legendary Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon.
Has Jack Draper already had a better ATP career than Nick Kyrgios?
Draper enjoyed a career-best year on the ATP Tour in 2024, as he reached his first Grand Slam semi-final, and journeyed his way into the world’s top 15.
He also won the biggest title of his career, as Draper won the Vienna Open in October, taking down Russia’s Karen Khachanov in the final.
A great season for the young Brit, but has he already eclipsed the Aussie’s career achievements, at just 23 years of age?
Nick Kyrgios’ career achievements
- Career high ranking – 13th (October 2016)
- Best Grand Slam result – Finalist (Wimbledon 2022)
- Biggest ATP title – ATP 500 (Washington Open X 2, Mexican Open, Japan Open)
- Miscellaneous – 2022 Australian Open doubles winner
- Career prize money – $12,486,696
Jack Drapers’ career achievements
- Career high ranking – 15th (October 2024)
- Best Grand Slam result – Semi finalist (US Open 2024)
- Biggest ATP title – ATP 500 (Vienna Open)
- Miscellaneous – British number one
- Career prize money – $4,567,996
It’s fair to say that the Aussie still has the edge over Draper, but at six years younger, the Brit could well surpass Kyrgios before too long.
The pair are yet to face off against one another on the ATP Tour, but could potentially do so at next month’s Australian Open which begins on January 12.
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