What happened the last time Nick Kyrgios appeared at the French Open as he prepares to return for the first time in eight years

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Nick Kyrgios is set to make his return to the French Open in 2025, having last appeared in Paris eight years ago.

The Australian ATP star has endured a tricky start to his 2025 campaign, winning just one tour-level singles match to date.

Kyrgios beat Mackenzie McDonald, 3-6, 6-3, 6-4, in the first round of the Miami Open, recording his first singles victory since 2022.

Losing his next match to Karen Khachanov, Kyrgios has yet to return to competition, although he recently alluded to his participation in the second Grand Slam of 2025.

Kyrgios hinted at playing next month’s French Open, although he would need a Wild Card to enter the qualifying or main draw, as he is currently ranked outside the world’s top 500.

Fans would no doubt love to see the Aussie return to Paris, but how did he perform on his last visit to the French Open?

Nick Kyrgios lost to Kevin Anderson in the second round of the 2017 French Open

Before 2017, Kyrgios hadn’t enjoyed the best of times at Roland Garros, winning just 50% of his matches at the tournament, never once reaching the fourth round.

• 2016 French Open – Nick Kyrgios lost to Richard Gasquet in 3R
• 2015 French Open – Nick Kyrgios lost to Andy Murray in 3R
• 2014 French Open – Nick Kyrgios lost to Milos Raonic in 1R
• 2013 French Open – Nick Kyrgios lost to Marin Cilic in 2R

Looking to make a breakthrough in 2017, Kyrgios began his tournament with a convincing straight-sets victory against Germany’s Philipp Kohlschreiber.

Next up was a tough test against South African star Kevin Anderson in the second round, who had won their one previous meeting in Chengdu, China, one year earlier.

Out for revenge, Kyrgios started the better of the two, securing the break to take the first set, 7-5.

A tight second set then went the way of Anderson, as injuries began to hurt his Australian opponent.

Dropping just three games across the final two sets, Anderson beat Kyrgios, 5-7, 6-4, 6-1, 6-2, to book his spot in the third round of the 2017 French Open.

During his post-match press conference, Kyrgios revealed how training went in the build-up to the tournament.

“My preparation for the clay court season hasn’t been great,” he said.

“I feel like I’ve way underdone coming into the French [Open].

“I haven’t really put together any good training in the last couple of weeks. Obviously, just trying to manage some niggles.

“Obviously, I haven’t really structured any good training in the last five weeks. So I don’t think I was match-ready to play best of five sets, but he played well today. So he was too good.”

Has Nick Kyrgios made the same mistake ahead of the 2025 French Open?

The world number 633 is currently not scheduled to appear at next week’s Italian Open; therefore, should he take to the court in Paris, he won’t have had any competitive clay court preparation ahead of the tournament.

Bemoaning his lack of ‘good training’ and ‘preparation for the clay court season’ for his most recent defeat in the French capital, perhaps it would’ve made sense for the Aussie to play a warm-up tournament on clay.

Of the last ten French Open winners, all ten have played tournaments on clay in the lead up to Roland Garros.

Kyrgios has, however, struggled with injuries over the years, and it could also be said that the 30-year-old is saving himself for the big occasion.

The 2022 Wimbledon finalist hasn’t played a full ATP Tour schedule in several years, and Kyrgios said he was prioritising the Grand Slam events, following his Australian Open exit in January.

Only time will tell if we will see Kyrgios make his long-awaited return to the French Open next month, but it would certainly be a sight to see.

The 2025 French Open is set to begin on Sunday, May 25.