Nick Kyrgios says 18-year-old qualifier is playing ‘ridiculous tennis’ ahead of the 2025 Australian Open

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Nick Kyrgios is preparing to make his return to Grand Slam tennis having missed 18 months of action through injury.

The tennis season is well underway, and one of it’s biggest stars, Kyrgios, is back in action.

Kyrgios lost to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the first round of the Brisbane International last week, as he played his first singles match since the Stuttgart Open in 2023.

Unfortunately for the controversial Aussie, Kyrgios suffered an abdominal injury in Brisbane, that has cast doubt over his participation in this year’s Australian Open.

The 2025 Australian Open draw has now been made, with Kyrgios set to face off against Brit Jacob Fearnley in the first round should he be fit enough to compete.

Ahead of the Australian Open, Kyrgios gave his thoughts on one of the game’s most exciting young players.

Nick Kyrgios says 18-year-old Brazilian qualifier Joao Fonseca is playing ‘ridiculous tennis’ ahead of the Australian Open

In his pre-tournament press conference, Kyrgios was asked if he thought the ATP Tour had moved on during his time away from the sport.

“I definitely feel like there’s a changing of the guard,” he said.

“There’s such an amazing crop of young players coming in now, they’re incredible talents.

“You look at someone like [Joao] Fonseca as well, who is 17, 18 years old, playing ridiculous tennis.

“He’s like the next, next generation, he’s going to be knocking on the door pretty soon, as well.”

Joao Fonseca won the 2024 Next Gen ATP Finals, before qualifying for his first Grand Slam main draw at this year’s Australian Open.

He’s been handed a tough test, as Fonseca will play Andrey Rublev in the first round, a three-time quarter-finalist at the event.

Kyrgios went on to explain why he struggled to win a Grand Slam during his younger years, and how the likes of Fonseca, Carlos Alcaraz, and Jannik Sinner, have an easier time of it.

“I mean, when I was like [Jannik] Sinner or [Carlos] Alcaraz at that age, when I was playing some of my best tennis, I had to get through four of the greatest of all time in their prime trying to chase legacy stats,” he said.

“It was very hard for me.

“I’m not saying I always ran into them, but realistically, what are the chances of me winning a slam if you’ve got to beat all three of those guys in their prime?

“Virtually impossible.”

Kyrgios played nine matches against members of the ‘big four’, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, Roger Federer, and Andy Murray, winning just once.

Finally, Kyrgios revealed what he would ‘love’ to happen at this year’s Australian Open, but conceded that it already seems unlikely.

“I definitely don’t feel like the media thinks I’ve moved on, that seems to be the only thing they can talk about,” he said.

“I would love to just fly under the radar, if possible, doesn’t seem like that’s going to be happening.”

Joao Fonseca’s impressive 13-match winning streak

The Brazilian youngster has broken through over the past few months and has quickly become one of the most talked about stars on the ATP Tour.

Fonseca hasn’t lost a match in over 60 days, a streak that spans the Next Gen Finals, Canberra Challenger, and Australian Open qualifying.

• Australian Open Qualifying (R3) – Joao Fonseca 6-4, 6-1, Thiago Tirante
• Australian Open Qualifying (R2) – Joao Fonseca 6-0, 6-3, Coleman Wong
• Australian Open Qualifying (R1) – Joao Fonseca 6-4, 6-0, Federico Gomez
• Canberra Challenger (F) – Joao Fonseca 6-4, 6-4, Ethan Quinn
• Canberra Challenger (SF) – Joao Fonseca 6-3, 6-3, Jacob Fearnley
• Canberra Challenger (QF) – Joao Fonseca 6-2, 6-3, Harold Mayot
• Canberra Challenger (R16) – Joao Fonseca 6-1, 7-5, Duje Ajdukovic
• Canberra Challenger (R32) – Joao Fonseca 6-1, 6-3, Mackenzie McDonald
• Next Gen ATP Finals (F) – Joao Fonseca 2-4, 4-3, 4-0, 4-2, Learner Tien
• Next Gen ATP Finals (SF) – Joao Fonseca 4-2, 4-2, 4-1, Luca Van Assche
• Next Gen ATP Finals (GS) – Joao Fonseca 3-4, 4-3, 4-3, 3-4, 4-3, Jakub Mensik
• Next Gen ATP Finals (GS) – Joao Fonseca 4-0, 4-0, 1-4, 4-2, Learner Tien
• Next Gen ATP Finals (GS) – Joao Fonseca 3-4, 4-2, 4-1, 1-4, 4-1, Arthur Fils

The teenager has yet to drop a set in 2025, and his mightily impressive performances have seen his ranking rise to just outside the world’s top 100.

Winning the Next Gen ATP Finals was no doubt the highlight of the young Brazilian’s career, as he took down Learner Tien in four sets to claim the title.

He’ll be hoping to create more highlights throughout 2025, and would love to start with a first career top-ten win against Rublev on January 13.