Nick Kyrgios is finally back on a tennis court, and playing alongside Naomi Osaka no less.
It has been a long time coming, to picture the affable Australian back playing tennis, especially after the unrelenting injury turmoil he has suffered in recent years.
After all, following his remarkable run to the Wimbledon final in 2022, it really felt like he would kick on and enjoy the career that many suggest that his talents deserved.
It’s so typical that, almost straight after this, he was unable to capitalise on such success through no fault of his own.
And yet, despite having been lambasted as lazy and unprofessional at times during his career, he has swiftly proven all the doubters wrong with the work he has put in to return to the court.
Nick Kyrgios and Naomi Osaka combine at the US Open
Although he is not set to play in the main draw of the upcoming US Open, still only just returning to the sport, just to see him on any court is a source of major happiness for much of the tennis community.
And, to be playing with such a legendary figure like Naomi Osaka only adds to the intrigue as she gears up to try and secure her third title in New York.
In an effort to further drive up interest, the organisers of this pre-tournament match stuck a microphone on Nick Kyrgios, seeking to pick up any interesting things he might have said throughout.
However, the main bit of content they snagged was actually a really heartwarming one with Osaka, where he lavishes praise on his Japanese teammate for her remarkable serving.
He claimed: ‘Yes good serving. Great serve, great serve. I like that. You wanna try forehand again? Effective again, double or nothing, let’s go.
‘YES! Good serving, well done, good job! Well done, great serve. Great serve.’
He and Osaka faced Taylor Fritz and Amanda Anisimova.
When will Nick Kyrgios be fully fit again?
Kyrgios has delivered fitness updates regularly across the last year or so, when relevant, seeking to keep his fans updated on his progress.
There has likely not always been plenty to deliver, forced to silently grind in the gym and rest when appropriate, but his presence on that New York court yesterday marks a huge moment that has finally paid dividends for his hard work.
Such a possibility was teased after Kyrgios hit with Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon, but few expected him to partake in an actual match this soon.
Hopefully, perhaps in 2025 when the tour briefly returns to his homeland, we can expect Kyrgios to make his long-awaited return to the ATP, ready to upset the apple cart once again and hopefully recapture his former glory.
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
