Fans were understandably excited when Nick Kyrgios announced that he would be partnering with the BBC as part of their Wimbledon coverage this year.
Naturally, there was an element of disappointment, as it marked the realisation that it would come too soon for his injury, but some added rest should hopefully have him back soon.
Unsurprisingly, in just his first show with the network, they were quick to get an update on his road to recovery.
Given Kyrgios recently opened up about the brutal nature of his injury, answer was largely a positive one.
Nick Kyrgios delivers update on his injury recovery
Speaking to BBC Sport after Carlos Alcaraz’s straight-sets victory over qualifier Mark Lajal, he was effusive in his praise for the Spaniard.
And whilst it was not the straightforward return to Wimbledon that the youngster would have dreamed of, at times being upstaged by the unknown Estonian, he did well to come out on top when he could well have folded on a few occasions.
Having offered some post-match analysis, attention then turned back to Nick Kyrgios, having just commentated on his first match at Wimbledon since agreeing to be a pundit.
His co-host wondered whether it had been a tough experience, returning to the scene of what was very nearly his greatest triumph, and he actually replied with an upbeat injury update.
He claimed: ‘Yeah, whether it’s entertaining or causing controversial moments, I do miss it a lot.
‘Obviously, I’ve been working extremely hard to get back on court and I’m actually very close at the moment so to sit in the box and watch a full match was hard but I enjoyed it. I know how special this court is, the crowd. It’s the best event in the world.’
Nick Kyrgios could be back to compete for Wimbledon 2025
Although this particular event came just too early for the Australian, there is every chance that, with some good rehab at the back end of 2024, he could enter the new year ready to compete.
However, as he has mentioned before, it all feels like the rest of the tennis calendar pails in comparison to Wimbledon.
His season will be building towards that event, as the only Grand Slam where he has reached the final.
Losing to Novak Djokovic in 2022 was incredibly tough, but it has sparked a newfound friendship between the two which has captured the imagination.
But with the Serbian’s powers waning, a power vacuum has opened up.
Naturally, Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner will seek to fill it, but neither have had the pleasure of facing Kyrgios yet in his peak fitness.
Potentially, should he be in a good place this time next year, the 29-year-old could make a run at the title unimpeded by such legendary opposition. He will never have a better chance.
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