Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios said he is determined to silence the critics when he makes his return to tennis following a two-year injury nightmare that left him contemplating retirement.
Kyrgios, who reached a career-high No 13 in the ATP rankings, has played just one singles match in two years after suffering knee, foot and wrist injuries.
The 29-year-old has hinted at retirement several times, but told News Corp's Code Sports on Monday he would return for the World Tennis League event in Abu Dhabi in December before a tilt at the Australian Open in January.
"I am coming back because something is keeping me around the game," he said. "I have beaten pretty much every person that has been put in front of me, made a final of a Grand Slam, won a doubles title in a Grand Slam, won multiple titles and made money.
"But I think the one thing that is now on my target is a Grand Slam. I think that will be the only thing that will shut people up at the end of the day. That'll be my deep motivation."
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Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts after defeating Chile's Cristian Garin in their quarter-final match at the Wimbledon Championships in London, on July 6, 2022. AP -
Australia's Nick Kyrgios shakes hands with Chile's Cristian Garin after winning their quarter-final. AFP -
Australia's Nick Kyrgios after defeating Chile's Cristian Garin in their quarter-final. AP -
Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts after beating Chile's Cristian Garin to reach the Wimbledon semi-finals. AFP -
Australia's Nick Kyrgios after defeating Chile's Cristian Garin in their quarter-final match at the Wimbledon Championships in London, on July 6, 2022. AP -
Nick Kyrgios during his quarter-final against Cristian Garin. PA -
Nick Kyrgios in his match against Cristian Garin. PA -
Australia's Nick Kyrgios returns the ball to Chile's Cristian Garin. AFP -
Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts during his quarter-final against Chile's Cristian Garin. Reuters -
Cristian Garin of Chile plays a forehand against Nick Kyrgios of Australia. Getty -
Australia's Nick Kyrgios reacts as he plays against Chile's Cristian Garin during their quarter-final match. AFP -
Nick Kyrgios of Australia during his quarter-final match against Cristian Garin of Chile. EPA -
Nick Kyrgios plays a backhand against Cristian Garin. Getty -
Nick Kyrgios stretches to make a return during his quarter-final against Cristian Garin. PA -
Chile's Cristian Garin serves against Australia's Nick Kyrgios. AFP -
Australia's Nick Kyrgios serves against Chile's Cristian Garin. AFP -
Australia's Nick Kyrgios celebrates winning a point against Chile's Cristian Garin. AP -
Chile's Cristian Garin in action during his quarter-final match against Australia's Nick Kyrgios. Reuters -
Cristian Garin of Chile plays a backhand against Nick Kyrgios of Australia. Getty
During his injury absence, Kyrgios has worked as a commentator, analyst, and on-court interviewer, proving a popular presence in the booth to suggest a media career could be part of his future once he hangs up his racquet.
However, with at least a couple years left of his playing career, Kyrgios will aim to take advantage of the shifting landscape in men's tennis that has seen a new 'Big Three' formed by world No 1 Jannik Sinner, four-time Grand Slam champion Carlos Alcaraz, and the seemingly ageless Novak Djokovic, who this summer added Olympic gold to his record 24 major titles.
With Spanish great Rafael Nadal announcing his retirement last week and Djokovic now 37, Kyrgios believes the game is "the most open it has ever been".
The Australian has long been regarded as one of the most talented players of his generation, beating Djokovic, Nadal, and Roger Federer in each of his first matches against the traditional 'Big Three'.
Kyrgios showcased the depth of his talent on the biggest stage at Wimbledon in 2022 when he reached the final and took an early lead before losing in four sets to Djokovic in his only defeat to the Serbian superstar.
However, his occasional fragile temperament saw him frequently written off as a wasted talent, his seven singles titles deemed below what was expected from his massive potential. Kyrgios has always been combustible and earned a reputation for outbursts and meltdowns on court early in his career, but he denied he was "a bad boy".
"I guess I was branded that just because I was a bit outside the circle of what a normal tennis player is," said Kyrgios, who has spoken candidly in recent years about his struggles with mental health. "I don't think I carry that perception with the Aussie public anymore. But at the start of my career, people thought I was like a murderer."
The World Tennis League is a four-day exhibition team event, which will be held December 19-22 at the Etihad Arena. Many of the leading men's and women's players will compete in four teams, with Kyrgios joined in the UAE capital by the likes of women's world No 1 Iga Swiatek and second-ranked Aryna Sabalenka and male rivals Daniil Medvedev, Taylor Fritz, and Andrey Rublev.
Kyrgios also took part in the inaugural World Tennis League in 2022 when it was held in Dubai.
