Kyrgios Eyes ‘Miracle’ Comeback at Australian Open After Knee Shows Dramatic Improvement

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has expressed fresh optimism about returning to competition at the Australian Open in January, after revealing a surprising and rapid improvement in his long-standing knee injury.

The 30-year-old, who has endured multiple surgeries on both his wrist and knee, has played only five singles matches in the last three years. His absence from the tour has seen his world ranking plummet to 652.

Speaking to the Australian Associated Press on Thursday, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist said,

“In the last month, I don’t really know what’s happened. I was with my masseuse and physio last night and something has really changed with my knee. It’s not swelling, it’s not feeling sore after sessions. I don’t know whether to call it a miracle or not, but my knee feels like it’s a couple of years younger.”

Kyrgios admitted he was surprised by the turnaround after months of frustration during rehabilitation.

“I don’t want to jinx it, but something in the knee seems to have shifted. It’s allowed me to put together three or four consecutive days of training — an hour-and-a-half to two hours each session — and actually recover properly afterwards. That’s something I haven’t been able to do for a very long time.”

“It’s really exciting. I haven’t told many people, but I feel like I’ve got a new lease of life on court.”

Because of his extended period of inactivity, Kyrgios would require a wild card entry from organisers to compete in the Australian Open 2026. He last appeared in an official match at the Miami Open in March, where he was knocked out in the second round.

Adding to his comeback plans, organisers have confirmed that Kyrgios will face world number one Aryna Sabalenka in a special “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match in Dubai on 28 December, an event designed to promote gender balance and showcase elite tennis talent.

Whether Kyrgios’s unexpected recovery proves to be the “miracle” he hopes for remains to be seen, but fans across Australia will be eagerly awaiting his possible return to the court in Melbourne.