Nick Kyrgios returning to ATP Tour with girlfriend Chiara Passari

Nick Kyrgios is returning to the tennis court, confirming his on-again-off-again girlfriend Chiara Passari is getting a ticket on the plane.

Being labelled the Dennis Rodman of tennis is a compliment to flamboyant tennis ace Nick Kyrgios.

NBA superstar Giannis Antetokounmpo recently likened the controversial Australian tennis player to the colourful American basketball great.

Australian basketball champion Andrew Bogut with tennis star Nick Kyrgios. Picture: Toby Zerna

“If I passed (away) tomorrow, I would take that any day of the week, being remembered as the Denis Rodman of the sport,” Kyrgios told The Daily Telegraph.

“When I first think of Rodman, I think of someone that is completely comfortable in his own skin, who played the game he wanted and didn’t really care what others thought. That is how I feel I go about my tennis career, I don’t really care what others think and I play the way I want to play … and he’s had some pretty good misso’s as well.”

Kyrgios joined Australian champion and former NBA star Andrew Bogut at Sydney’s Bondi Icebergs for an event to mark Hennessy’s global partnership with America’s National Basketball Association (NBA).

Not lacking in confidence, Kyrgios even had a shoot-around with Bogut.

“I have got that athlete belief, whenever I go into something, I believe I am the best even though I am not,” Kyrgios said.

“It was awesome to finally meet Bogut. We’ve spoken online and he is an amazing guy who has accomplished so much in his career so it was awesome to see him and pick his brains a bit.”

Kyrgios with his girlfriend Chiara Passari. Picture: Toby Zerna

The Canberran is a Boston Celtics fan, who follows the game closely.

As to his own basketball ambitions, he will stick to tennis.

“The guys that play in the NBA they are a different breed athletically, they are a completely different specimen to what tennis players are,” he said.

“I love the sport, it is definitely my first passion and I can play the sport at a decent level. To say whether I would have been good at it is neither here nor there.”

The 26-year-old recently announced that he will return to the ATP in Mallorca next month.

“I am super excited to get back on there,” he said. “I am travelling with my best friend and girlfriend.

“I think now is my time to play. I’ve had time to rest, regroup and see my family so now it is time to do what I do best.”

Kyrgios and Chiara Passari have publicly shared the highs and lows of their relationship on social media. Earlier this year they had a fiery exchange of words online after splitting. Days later their rollercoaster relationship was back on with a sweet Instagram post.