Frankly, it has been far too long since Nick Kyrgios graced our tennis courts.
The controversial Australian star was enjoying some of the form of his career before injury struck, having just reached his first-ever Grand Slam final, and threatening to become a real consistent threat to those atop of the sport.
However, with a string of setbacks continuing to emerge, the worst of which seemed like a wrist ailment that Dominic Thiem has also suffered with of late, he has now not played in nearly two years.
In fact, the last match the 28-year-old featured in came in 2022, a quarter-final loss to Karen Khachanov at the US Open.
Fortunately, despite rumours suggesting that he might just give the tennis stuff up, he has provided an update on his return date.
Nick Kyrgios provides injury update
For the most part, we have not received regular updates throughout this period for Nick Kyrgios away from the court.
Although, he has never been far away from the media.
In fact, he has used this hiatus from the sport to wade into punditry, taking up a role as a podcast host where he has already spoken to Mike Tyson, Novak Djokovic and Naomi Osaka, just before he debuted as a pundit for the Australian Open too.
And whilst he thrives in such roles, given his affable and infectious personality, few would argue that they would rather see him exhibit this on the court.
Taking to Instagram and encouraging questions from his fans, one read: ‘Will you play again on tour?’
The picture attached to his reply showed him working hard in the gym to find his fitness, and the caption replied: ‘Yes. I’m back on court. Forehand is nearing – serving introduced in about a month.’
The tennis world patiently awaits Nick Kyrgios’ return
Love him or loathe him, few can deny that tennis is a far more colourful place with him embroiled in it.
And that is exactly what the sport craves, with only those who have such a brave and bold outlook on life truly able to capture the imagination, aside from those who simply win everything.
Kyrgios, across his entire professional career which officially started in 2013, has just seven titles to his name.
Yet he is one of the most recognisable players purely because of his demeanour.
He will certainly add something more to tennis upon his return, and we patiently await that triumphant day, which should not be far off now.
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