The controversial Australian star recently returned to winning ways at the 2025 Miami Open.
After spending years on the sidelines, Nick Kyrgios returned to tennis in January, losing his opening matches at the Brisbane International and the Australian Open.
He then suffered another setback as Kyrgios retired injured against Botic van de Zandschulp in the first round at Indian Wells.
Returning to action at the Miami Open, Kyrgios secured his first tour-level win since 2022, beating Mackenzie McDonald to advance to the second round.
Ahead of his second-round clash with Karen Khachanov, the 29-year-old considered several changes he thinks could improve the sport.
Nick Kyrgios thinks the opening rounds of Grand Slam tournaments should switch to best of three sets
Speaking to the Tennis Channel one day removed from his win over McDonald, Kyrgios discussed three ideas he has for tennis.
“Grand Slams, I think up to quarter-finals should be best of three and quarter-finals onwards best of five,” he said.
“I think it would make the first week a lot more interesting and a lot more upsets, it would fix all the scheduling problems.
“I think that would be good.”
The stars of the ATP Tour compete in best-of-five matches at the four Grand Slam tournaments, whereas the best-of-three format is used at the Masters 1000 level, ATP 500, and ATP 250 tournaments.
Kyrgios then looked to the NBA for inspiration as he suggested another idea he believes would bring more eyes onto tennis.
“I think like how the NBA pre-game the game, the game starts on Centre Court,” he said.
“The fans can be more interactive with players, I think if you are on stadium you should have a 15-minute warm-up so you can interact with some of the celebrities.
“I think that would be more content for the sport, I think that would be cool.
“I know that the outside courts won’t have that, but if you are lucky enough to play on stadium you have an extended warm-up, it’s more interactive.
“I think tennis needs to get into that more modern day, how the sports are now and needs more content and fun.”
The former world number 13 went on to propose the introduction of ‘walk-on songs’ for tennis stars.
“Why don’t we have walk-on songs?” said Kyrgios.
“Why is the screen not playing highlights of the player who is walking on?
“I think we are not really maximizing content for our players and making them feel like, these guys are on the Centre Court in Miami, they are at the absolute top of their sport.
“We need to feel like that from time to time.”
Kyrgios had one final idea for how the sport could better engage its fans.
“The other day I did five different little media segments,” he said.
“When you look at the NBA, I would be very okay giving locker room access for media.
“I think you get the raw emotions.”
How would the best of three Grand Slam format have affected results at the 2025 Australian Open?
Kyrgios thinks switching to the best-of-three format would cause ‘a lot more upsets’ in the early rounds of Grand Slams but would that have been the case at this year’s Australian Open?
Of the eight players to qualify for the quarter-finals in 2025, all eight would’ve advanced with a shorter format.
| Player | Closest match to defeat (In best of three) | Final result (In best of three) |
| Jannik Sinner | 2R – Trailed 4-6 against Tristan Schoolkate | Won – 4-6, 6-4, 6-1 |
| Alex de Minaur | 3R – Trailed 5-7 against Francisco Cerundolo | Won – 5-7, 7-6, 6-3 |
| Ben Shelton | 4R – Level at 7-6, 6-7 against Gael Monfils | Won – 7-6, 6-7, 7-6 |
| Lorenzo Sonego | 2R – Trailed 6-7 against Joao Fonseca | Won – 6-7, 6-3, 6-1 |
| Novak Djokovic | 1R – Trailed 4-6 against Nishesh Basavareddy | Won – 4-6, 6-3, 6-4 |
| Carlos Alcaraz | N/A (Won first two sets in all four matches) | N/A (Won first two sets in all four matches) |
| Tommy Paul | 2R – Trailed 6-7 against Kei Nishikori | Won – 6-7, 6-0, 6-3 |
| Alexander Zverev | 4R – Level at 6-1, 2-6 against Ugo Humbert | Won – 6-1, 2-6, 6-3 |
Results wouldn’t have changed with the best-of-three format in Melbourne this year, and Jannik Sinner would still have won the Australian Open title.
The format may have made the most difference at Wimbledon in 2024, as champion Carlos Alcaraz would’ve been knocked out in the third round by America’s Frances Tiafoe.
Tiafoe led Alcaraz, 7-5, 2-6, 6-4, before dropping the final two sets, 6-7, 2-6, as he was knocked out of the competition.
Only time will tell if the Grand Slam tournaments choose to adopt Kyrgios’ ideas but it will certainly be something to look out for.
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