Nick Kyrgios hadn’t won a match on the ATP Tour in over two years when he traveled to Florida for the Miami Open.
The 29-year-old last won a professional match at the 2022 Tokyo Open, as injuries derailed Kyrgios‘ career.
Eager to return to winning ways at the Miami Open, Kyrgios bravely fought back from a set down to beat Mackenzie McDonald 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
The Aussie was delighted to secure his first win in years, as he now looks ahead to his second round clash with Russia’s Karen Khachanov.
He did, however, take the time to reveal what McDonald said to him at the net after their nail-biting first-round encounter.
Nick Kyrgios reveals Mackenzie McDonald said ‘great serving’ to him after their match in Miami
Speaking to the Tennis Channel after his win over McDonald, Kyrgios shared what the American told him after their Miami Open clash.
“I made a conscious effort to try and make a high percentage of first serves,” he said.
“[McDonald] loves getting into those long rallies and his ball was coming through so low.
“I hadn’t played a match like that in two years, where it was very hard to get under and over the ball on my forehand.
“My serve got me through the match in the end.
“We shook hands and he just said ‘great serving’.
“I think if I hadn’t had served that well I wouldn’t have come through.”
Kyrgios served as well as he had in 2025 against McDonald, hitting 13 aces and 79% of his first serves.
| Match | Aces | Double faults | First serve % | Win % on first serve | Win % on second serve |
| 2025 Miami Open 1R – v Mackenzie McDonald | 13 | 3 | 79 | 77 | 46 |
| 2025 Brisbane International 1R v Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard | 15 | 0 | 77 | 82 | 72 |
| 2025 Australian Open 1R v Jacob Fearnley | 13 | 8 | 73 | 69 | 58 |
| 2025 Indian Wells 1R v Botic van de Zandschulp | 6 | 2 | 58 | 68 | 39 |
The Australian reflected on his time spent away from the sport, explaining what he found ‘very boring’ over recent years.
“When you are injured it is like you have to train, then rehab, then physio, then gym and then you do it again,” said Kyrgios.
“It becomes very boring in a way.
“You see other guys you used to beat and play with and now they are at the top of the sport and you’re like wow, this is where I was.
“I love seeing all these guys have success but at the same time I was like I know I have the game and the level to be there and still win at this level.”
Kyrgios was glad to finally secure his first win back as he admitted their were some ‘dark days’ earlier in 2025.
“Honestly I was getting a bit discouraged thinking when is this win going to come and it came in my third match in,” he said.
“I didn’t win at the Australian Open or Indian Wells and then it came yesterday.
“Mentally it was hard, I saw some dark days, I was like is this the end but I guess this puts a bit more petrol in the tank.”
He then gave fans a promising fitness update ahead of his second-round match against the world number 23.
“I hit a lot of balls today, I actually feel pretty good,” said Kyrgios.
“I am excited to get out there against [Karen] Khachanov.”
What happened the last time Nick Kyrgios played Karen Khachanov?
Kyrgios and Khachanov last played one another at the 2022 US Open tournament, with a place in the semi-finals up for grabs.
After former champions Daniil Medvedev and Rafael Nadal fell to defeat in the fourth round, a new Grand Slam winner was guaranteed in New York, as many tipped the Aussie to win the title.
It wasn’t to be, however, as the Russian battled through in a five-set war to win 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7, 6-4, securing his spot in the last four.
Khachanov won in a deciding set, something that was required in the pair’s two previous meetings on the ATP Tour.
- 2020 Australian Open R32 – Nick Kyrgios beat Karen Khachanov, 6-2, 7-6, 6-7, 6-7, 7-6
- 2019 Cincinnati Open R32 – Karen Khachanov beat Nick Kyrgios, 6-7, 7-6, 6-2
Only time will tell if a third set is needed when Kyrgios and Khachanov face off at the Miami Open on Friday, March 21.
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