Kyrgios feared for his career. Djokovic saved it, and delivered him to Brisbane

Nick Kyrgios still cannot do a push-up, and does not believe he will ever be able to again. He had four holes drilled into his wrist, one which is currently being held together by “a piece of string”.

Such was the pain he endured, carrying groceries was arduous, and he feared his tennis career was over.

But upon announcing his comeback at the Brisbane International, the polarising 29-year-old revealed a conversation with one of the sport’s all-time greats – and Kyrgios’ occasional online adversary – Novak Djokovic, kept his visions of grand slam glory alive.

Nick Kyrgios will return to the Brisbane International.Credit: AP

“I don’t know if I missed playing a lot ... but I think it was when I was hitting with Novak, he said to me, ‘It doesn’t look like you’ve had surgery,’ ” Kyrgios said.

“That was a big motivation to say maybe I’m actually making some inroads into getting back. That was a big driver for me.

“I don’t know if I would’ve been motivated and if I would have kept pushing on the court. That was definitely a big part of the journey, when he said that.”

After battling with knee and foot injuries, Kyrgios had hoped to pick up the racquet again at Wimbledon last year, in a bid to go one better than his 2022 heroics.

But he withdrew due to wrist pain, and later, in the lead-up to the US Open, discovered his scapholunate ligament was fully ruptured.

Kyrgios will cast aside an injury-ravaged two years to start his comeback from the Pat Rafter Arena, in a hot Brisbane summer.

He hoped it would prove the perfect tune-up for the Australian Open, where he hinted he and close friend Thanasi Kokkinakis could “bring out our WWE belts” for a doubles reunion.

The enigmatic star will contend with a field in Brisbane that includes compatriots Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson, as well as Holger Rune, Gaël Monfils, Frances Tiafoe and Grigor Dimitrov.

Novak Djokovic has been credited by Nick Kyrgios for reviving his career.Credit: Penny Stephens

Simply being on the cusp of a comeback left Kyrgios amazed. He recalled looking down at his hand following surgery 14 months ago and noticing his fingers “looked like sausages”.

He remembered relearning how to use his wrist, so to now be declaring he was in “probably the best shape I’ve been in” gave him jitters of anticipation.

For all the talk that had followed him that he was not entirely committed to realising his potential, the former Wimbledon finalist emitted a contrasting energy on Friday morning.

A glint was in his eye, impassioned determination in his voice. He even revealed he had spoken with Lleyton Hewitt – the last Australian man to lift a grand slam trophy – about the prospect of playing doubles at the Davis Cup.

“My mental state kind of fluctuates pretty frequently. I know there are a lot of people who enjoy watching my tennis, and equally there are people who are frustrated about it, but that’s sport,” Kyrgios said.

“I think that’s what sport needs and arguably that’s what the game of tennis is missing right now.

“I think there are a lot of players who play similarly, and everyone likes each other. I just don’t see that in sport as a healthy thing.

“There needs to be a bit of bad blood and that’s what makes it exciting. I’m not going to start trash talking every player I play against, but to bring that grit and dog back to the tennis world.

“I’ve got so much more to give to my fans and the Aussie fans.

“We’re still searching for that person to have that real breakthrough, and I feel like I can still do that.”

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