Pat Rafter unsure of what to expect from Nick Kyrgios at the Brisbane International

With Nick Kyrgios having been sidelined a long time, Pat Rafter is not sure how the returning star will fare at the Brisbane International.

The Brisbane International looms as a “great showcase” for returning star Nick Kyrgios to prove he can recapture the form that earnt him a spot in the 2022 Wimbledon final.

Kyrgios, 29, has only played one tour match in more than two years due to injury problems.

He will make his long-awaited comeback in the December 29-January 5 Brisbane International at the Queensland Tennis Centre, with a protected world ranking of 21 having secured him a spot in a strong field that includes Novak Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Holger Rune and Frances Taifoe.

Kyrgios won the tournament in 2018, beating American Ryan Harrison 6-4, 6-2 in a final played on Pat Rafter Arena.

Rafter on Wednesday said he was unsure how Kyrgios would fare after such a lengthy period out.

The excitement is real 🥳 @DjokerNole#BrisbaneTennispic.twitter.com/jgwQxNFkeB

— Brisbane International (@BrisbaneTennis) December 3, 2024

“Your guess is as good as mine,” the Australian tennis great said.

“We’ll have to wait and see. (More than) 18 months is a long time out of the game.

“Talent-wise we all know his talent, but he is getting older and it’s hard to keep playing when you get older, so I think this is going to be a great showcase of what Nick’s got.”

Earlier this month, Kyrgios said he was feeling the best he had in “two years”.

“It has been a long journey of recovery to be where I am today,” he said.

“One of the goals I had set was to be able to play during the Aussie summer, so I am excited that I get to start in Brisbane which is one of my favourite tournaments.”

Twenty-two of the Brisbane International’s 32-strong men’s field has been confirmed.

The other 10 spots will be reserved for a “late entry”, three wildcards and six qualifiers.

Kyrgios is one of the three Australians already in the field, with the other two being Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson.

Originally published as Pat Rafter unsure of what to expect from Nick Kyrgios at the Brisbane International