Nick Kyrgios

Nick Kyrgios
Born	Nicholas Hilmy Kyrgios (1995-04-27) April 27, 1995 Canberra, Australia
Occupation	Professional tennis player
Years active	2012–present
Known for	Professional tennis career, defeating each member of the Big Three in their first meetings

Nicholas Hilmy Kyrgios (; born 27 April 1995), commonly known as "Kygs," is a professional tennis player from Australia. On 24 October 2016, he attained his highest ATP singles ranking at world No. 13. Throughout his career, Kyrgios has claimed seven ATP Tour singles championships, including victories at the Washington Open in both 2019 and 2022, and has appeared in eleven finals, most notably reaching the final of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. In doubles competition, he reached a peak ranking of No. 11 on 7 November 2022, highlighted by winning the Australian Open doubles title that same year alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Kyrgios is distinguished as one of only three players—alongside Dominik Hrbatý and Lleyton Hewitt—to have defeated each member of the "Big Three" (Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, Rafael Nadal) during their initial meetings. He is widely acknowledged for his distinctive and candid demeanor combined with remarkable court skills and daring shot execution in both singles and doubles formats.

During his junior years, Kyrgios secured the boys' singles championship at the 2013 Australian Open and captured doubles titles at the 2012 French Open, 2012 Wimbledon, and again at the 2013 Wimbledon Championships.

Early life and family

Born in Canberra, Australia on 27 April 1995, Kyrgios is the son of George, a self-employed house painter with Greek heritage, and Norlaila ("Nill"), a retired computer engineer of Malay descent from Malaysia's Pahang royal family, who gave up her royal status upon relocating to Australia. He has two siblings: a brother named Christos and a sister named Halimah. His paternal grandparents emigrated from Georgani, Ioannina in Greece to Australia in 1960.

Kyrgios attended Radford College until Year 8 before completing his secondary education at Daramalan College in Canberra. Initially engaged in basketball during his early teenage years, he fully committed to tennis by age 14. At 16, he was awarded a full scholarship to train at the Australian Institute of Sport, which significantly advanced his tennis career.

In 2013, Kyrgios transitioned his training base from Canberra to Melbourne Park to benefit from enhanced facilities and training partners. In response to this move, Tennis ACT announced a $27 million upgrade plan for Canberra's Lyneham Tennis Centre aimed at attracting him back and hosting prominent tournaments such as the Davis Cup and Fed Cup. Kyrgios confirmed his return to Canberra in January 2015 and personally contributed $10,000 towards the centre’s redevelopment.

Junior career

Kyrgios began competing in junior tennis matches in 2008 at age 13. His first ITF junior tournament victory came in Fiji in June 2010 when he was 15 years old. He made his junior Grand Slam debut at the Australian Open in 2011. By 2012, he had won two junior Grand Slam doubles titles and achieved a junior world ranking of No. 3; however, an injury forced him to withdraw from the 2013 Australian Open Men's Wildcard Playoff.

In 2013, Kyrgios ascended to junior world No. 1 following his triumph at the Traralgon International. Entering the Australian Open as the third seed in juniors, he captured the boys' singles crown by defeating Thanasi Kokkinakis in the final. Additionally, he partnered with Kokkinakis to win the Wimbledon junior doubles title that year.

2012–2013: Transition to professional ranks

Kyrgios launched his professional journey in 2012, primarily participating in ITF Men's Circuit events held in Australia, Germany, Japan, and Slovenia. By the end of that year, his ranking stood at No. 838.

Entering 2013, Kyrgios faced early defeats during the qualifying stages of Brisbane and the Australian Open but set a goal to break into the top 300 by year’s end after capturing the Australian Open boys' singles championship. At just 17 years old, he secured his inaugural Challenger title at the Nature's Way Sydney Tennis International.

Granted a wildcard for the 2013 French Open qualifiers, Kyrgios was promoted directly into the main draw following a withdrawal. He notched his maiden ATP Tour-level victory by overcoming former world No. 8 Radek Štěpánek in a tightly contested three-set match featuring tiebreaks, before falling to Marin Čilić in the second round. This success elevated his ranking to No. 213.

Kyrgios qualified for the 2013 US Open but was defeated in the first round by fourth seed David Ferrer. By September, he had reached a career-best ranking of No. 186 and advanced to the semifinals at the Sacramento Challenger. He concluded the season ranked No. 182.

2014: Breakthrough at Wimbledon quarterfinals

Kyrgios was slated to make his debut at the 2014 Brisbane International through a wildcard entry but withdrew due to a shoulder injury. He received another wildcard for the 2014 Australian Open, where he won his opening match against Benjamin Becker but was eliminated in a five-set thriller by Benoît Paire in round two.

At the 2014 U.S. National Indoor Tennis Championships, Kyrgios was ousted in his first match by Tim Smyczek. Elbow issues forced him to withdraw from ATP tournaments in Delray Beach and Acapulco.

He claimed the title at the 2014 Sarasota Open, defeating Filip Krajinović to capture his second Challenger crown, followed by winning the 2014 Savannah Challenger over Jack Sock. As a wildcard entrant at the 2014 French Open, Kyrgios exited in the first round against Milos Raonic. He earned his fourth Challenger trophy at the 2014 Aegon Nottingham Challenge, overcoming fellow Australian Sam Groth.

In June, Kyrgios received a wildcard for the 2014 Wimbledon Championships. After victories against Stéphane Robert, Richard Gasquet, and Jiří Veselý, he reached a significant milestone by defeating World No. 1 Rafael Nadal in four sets. This made him the first male debutant to advance to the Wimbledon quarterfinals since 2004. His remarkable rear-forehand half-volley winner drew widespread acclaim. Kyrgios’ run ended with a four-set loss to Milos Raonic in the quarterfinals. This accomplishment propelled him into the ATP top 100 for the first time, climbing to No. 66.

Following Wimbledon, Kyrgios recorded his initial ATP Masters victory at the Rogers Cup in Toronto by defeating Santiago Giraldo, before being eliminated by Andy Murray in round two. At the US Open, he advanced to the third round with wins over Mikhail Youzhny and Andreas Seppi, then lost to 16th seed Tommy Robredo. Early elimination at the Malaysian Open preceded Kyrgios’ decision to skip remaining events that season due to burnout concerns. He finished 2014 ranked No. 52 worldwide and was Australia's second-highest-ranked player behind Lleyton Hewitt.

2015: Breakthrough Grand Slam performance, top 30 ranking

Kyrgios kicked off 2015 at the Sydney International, where he was defeated in his opening match by Jerzy Janowicz in a three-set encounter.

At the 2015 Australian Open, Kyrgios gained direct entry for the first time owing to his ranking. He triumphed in grueling five-set battles against Federico Delbonis and Andreas Seppi, becoming the first male teenager since Federer in 2001 to reach two Grand Slam quarterfinals. Additionally, he was the first Australian male to reach a Grand Slam quarterfinal since Hewitt in 2005. Kyrgios was ultimately beaten in straight sets by eventual finalist Andy Murray and achieved a career-best ranking of No. 35.

Following a back injury incurred during the Australian Open, Kyrgios withdrew from the Marseille and Dubai tournaments. At Indian Wells, he suffered an ankle roll while serving for the match against Grigor Dimitrov, leading to a loss.

Upon returning at the Barcelona Open, Kyrgios fell in three sets to fellow 19-year-old Elias Ymer. At the Estoril Open, he advanced to his inaugural ATP final after victories over Albert Ramos Viñolas, Filip Krajinović, Robin Haase, and Pablo Carreño Busta, but was defeated in straight sets by Richard Gasquet.

A highlight at the Madrid Open saw Kyrgios upset world No. 2 and 17-time Grand Slam champion Roger Federer after saving two match points, before exiting in the third round to John Isner. Remarkably, up to this point, Kyrgios had accumulated more Grand Slam match wins (10) than ATP Tour victories (2).

Seeded 29th at the French Open—marking his first Grand Slam seeding—he progressed to the third round via a walkover but was eliminated by third seed Andy Murray. In doubles, alongside partner Mahesh Bhupathi, they were ousted in the opening round.

At the 2015 Wimbledon Championships, Kyrgios secured wins over Diego Schwartzman and Juan Mónaco in the initial rounds. He then caused an upset by defeating seventh seed Milos Raonic in round three but succumbed to Richard Gasquet in the fourth round despite holding set points. In mixed doubles with Madison Keys, he advanced to the second round. Following Wimbledon, Kyrgios slipped out of the top 40 rankings.

2016: Hopman Cup victory, three titles, entering top 15

During the 2016 Hopman Cup, Kyrgios teamed up with Daria Gavrilova representing Australia Green. The duo achieved a 3–0 win over Germany, with Kyrgios securing victories in both singles and mixed doubles. He then recorded his first triumph over Andy Murray in straight sets against Great Britain and contributed to a doubles win, guiding Australia Green to the final where they defeated Ukraine. This event marked Kyrgios' inaugural World Tour title.

At the 2016 Australian Open, Kyrgios advanced through his first two rounds before falling to sixth-ranked Tomáš Berdych in round three.

Kyrgios captured his maiden ATP championship at the Open 13 in Marseille by defeating Richard Gasquet, Berdych, and Marin Čilić all in straight sets, completing the tournament without having his serve broken.

He reached the semifinals of the 2016 Dubai Tennis Championships but retired during his match against Stan Wawrinka. At Indian Wells, he was ousted in the first round by Albert Ramos Viñolas.

At the 2016 Miami Open, Kyrgios reached his first semifinal at an ATP World Tour Masters 1000 event with notable wins including one over Milos Raonic. He was ultimately defeated by Kei Nishikori. After Miami, he broke into the top 20 rankings, becoming the youngest player to do so since Marin Čilić seven years prior.

Seeded 14th at the French Open, Kyrgios advanced to round three before losing to ninth seed Gasquet. At Wimbledon as the 15th seed, he reached the fourth round but was eliminated by eventual champion Andy Murray.

Competing at the Atlanta Open as second seed, Kyrgios defeated wildcard entrant Jared Donaldson, along with opponents Fernando Verdasco and Yoshihito Nishioka, progressing to the final. There, he overcame three-time defending champion John Isner to claim his second ATP title and attained a career-high ranking of No. 16.

At the US Open, Kyrgios retired during his third-round match due to a hip injury but later returned to secure a Davis Cup victory for Australia in their World Group playoff tie.

In October, following a second-round defeat at the 2016 Chengdu Open by Kevin Anderson, Kyrgios won his first ATP World Tour 500 series title at the Japan Open, overcoming David Goffin.

2017: Debut Masters final appearance

During the 2017 Australian Open, Kyrgios entered as the 14th seed and secured a victory against Gastão Elias before being defeated by Andreas Seppi in the second round, despite holding a two-set lead. At the Mexican Open, he triumphed over Novak Djokovic in straight sets during the quarterfinals, restricting Djokovic to just 20.5% of return points—his lowest career percentage. Kyrgios then fell to eventual champion Sam Querrey in the semifinals. He repeated his straight-sets win over Djokovic at the fourth round of the Indian Wells Masters but withdrew from his quarterfinal match against Federer due to illness. In Miami, Kyrgios overcame Goffin and Zverev before succumbing in a three-hour semifinal against Federer, decided by three tiebreak sets.

At the Madrid tournament, Kyrgios was defeated in straight sets by Nadal in the third round. At Roland Garros, after capturing the opening set, he lost to Kevin Anderson in the second round. Injuries compelled him to withdraw from Queen's Club, Wimbledon, and Washington tournaments. Following a period of poor form, he advanced to the third round of the National Bank Open, where Zverev halted his progress. At the Cincinnati Masters, Kyrgios reached the quarterfinal stage, notably defeating world No. 2 Nadal in straight sets and then overcoming Ferrer to reach his inaugural Masters 1000 final; there he was defeated by Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets. At the China Open, Nadal decisively beat him, bringing their head-to-head tally to 3–2 in Nadal’s favor.

Kyrgios represented Team World at the first-ever 2017 Laver Cup, stepping in for the withdrawn Milos Raonic. Teaming with Jack Sock in doubles, they secured a victory over Tomas Berdych and Nadal, earning Team World’s only point on Day 1. In singles on Day 2, Kyrgios defeated Berdych, again delivering Team World’s sole points for that day. On Day 3, he contested a match tie-break against Roger Federer, which Federer won to clinch overall victory for Team Europe with a score of 15–9.

2018: Maiden Australian title; absence from French Open

Kyrgios began 2018 by capturing his first title on home soil at the 2018 Brisbane International. Entering as the third seed with a second-round bye, he overcame fellow Australian Matthew Ebden in three sets. Progressing to the final, he defeated Ryan Harrison while delivering 17 aces, securing his first championship since the Tokyo 2016 event and re-entering the top 20 rankings at No. 17.

At the 2018 Australian Open, Kyrgios defeated Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in four sets but was narrowly beaten by Grigor Dimitrov in a match featuring three tiebreaks; Kyrgios served an impressive 36 aces during this encounter.

Post-Australian Open, Kyrgios lost to Alexander Zverev in Davis Cup play while managing an elbow injury. He subsequently withdrew from both Delray Beach Open and Indian Wells Masters before returning at the Miami Open where he beat Dušan Lajović and Fabio Fognini, only to be eliminated again by Zverev. Persistent elbow problems led Kyrgios to skip participation at the French Open.

He reached the semifinals at the Stuttgart Open, falling to eventual champion Federer. During Queen's Club Championships, Kyrgios notably defeated former world No. 1 Andy Murray during Murray’s comeback tournament—marking Kyrgios’s first professional victory against him after five prior attempts. Kyrgios was then ousted in the semifinals by Marin Čilić in two tiebreak sets. At Wimbledon, he advanced through two rounds before being stopped by Kei Nishikori in the third round.

Kyrgios’s campaign at the US Open was marked by controversy when umpire Mohammed Lahyani appeared to provide coaching during his second-round match against Pierre-Hugues Herbert, which Kyrgios won. His run concluded in the third round with a straight-sets defeat by Federer.

At that year’s Laver Cup, Kyrgios lost his singles match to Federer but triumphed alongside Jack Sock in doubles against Grigor Dimitrov and David Goffin. His final ATP tournament of 2018 was as a wildcard entrant at the Kremlin Cup where he defeated Andrey Rublev before withdrawing due to his elbow injury. He later revealed that he had been collaborating with psychologists to enhance his mental well-being.

2019: Dual titles, a disqualification, and disciplinary action

Kyrgios commenced 2019 at the Brisbane International, overcoming Ryan Harrison before being defeated by Jérémy Chardy. His run at the 2019 Australian Open concluded with a straight-sets first-round exit against Milos Raonic.

He captured his fifth career championship at the 2019 Mexican Open in Acapulco, triumphing over three top-10 competitors—Nadal, Isner, and Zverev—as well as three-time Grand Slam winner Stan Wawrinka. At the Miami Open, Kyrgios achieved a memorable victory against Dušan Lajović employing two underarm serves but was eliminated in the round of 16 by Borna Ćorić.

In Rome, after defeating Daniil Medvedev, Kyrgios was defaulted during his match against Casper Ruud due to throwing a chair and using profane language directed at a linesperson. At Wimbledon, he secured a five-set win over fellow Australian Jordan Thompson but fell to Nadal in the second round in a competitive four-set encounter.

Kyrgios earned his sixth title at the Citi Open in Washington by overcoming top seeds Stefanos Tsitsipas in the semifinals and Daniil Medvedev in the final. At the US Open, he advanced to the third round before losing to Andrey Rublev. During the Laver Cup, Kyrgios narrowly lost to Federer in singles but paired with Jack Sock to defeat Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas in doubles.

Following several unsportsmanlike conduct incidents at the 2019 Cincinnati Masters, where he incurred fines totaling $113,000, Kyrgios became subject to an ATP investigation. The verdict announced on September 26 imposed a 16-week suspended suspension, a $25,000 fine, and six months of probation.

2020: Lengthiest match of career

Seeded 23rd at the 2020 Australian Open, Kyrgios defeated Lorenzo Sonego and Gilles Simon in initial rounds before contesting the longest match of his career against Karen Khachanov, which lasted 4 hours and 26 minutes. He was eliminated in the fourth round by Rafael Nadal in four sets. Additionally, Kyrgios participated in mixed doubles alongside Amanda Anisimova, exiting in the second round.

At the 2020 Mexican Open, Kyrgios retired during his opening-round match due to a wrist injury, ending his attempt to defend his 2019 title. He later withdrew from the 2020 US Open citing health concerns related to the COVID-19 pandemic. Kyrgios concluded 2020 ranked No. 45 in singles.

2021: Withdrawals and knee issues

During the 2021 Australian Open, Kyrgios was defeated in the third round by Dominic Thiem, despite holding a two-set lead.

In April, he announced intentions to compete at both the Mallorca Open and Stuttgart Open but subsequently withdrew from these events. At Wimbledon, he won his first two matches, including a five-set triumph over Ugo Humbert, but retired during his third-round encounter with Félix Auger-Aliassime due to an abdominal injury.

Kyrgios was unable to defend his title at the Washington Open, exiting in the first round, and experienced an early departure at the US Open. Representing Team World for the fourth consecutive year at the 2021 Laver Cup, he lost both his singles and doubles matches.

On September 28, 2021, Kyrgios concluded his season prematurely because of a knee injury, finishing the year ranked No. 93 in singles.

2022: Major triumphs and resurgence into top 20

Kyrgios was forced to pull out of the Melbourne tournament because of asthma and subsequently tested positive for COVID-19 on January 10, which led to his withdrawal from the Sydney Tennis Classic. This sequence of events caused his ATP ranking to fall to No. 114, marking his lowest position since June 2014.

During the 2022 Australian Open, Kyrgios advanced past the first round but was defeated by the top seed Daniil Medvedev in the second round. In doubles, teaming up with Thanasi Kokkinakis, they overcame the world’s No. 1 duo on their way to the quarter-finals and ultimately triumphed in the first all-Australian men’s doubles final since 1980. Their victory as a wildcard team made them the first such pair in the Open Era to claim the Australian Open men's doubles crown, boosting Kyrgios into the top 40 in doubles rankings.

Granted a wildcard entry at Indian Wells, Kyrgios reached the quarterfinals by defeating world No. 8 Casper Ruud and advancing after Jannik Sinner withdrew, before succumbing to Rafael Nadal. In doubles with Kokkinakis, they exited in the second round. At Miami, Kyrgios progressed to the singles fourth round and reached the doubles semifinals alongside Kokkinakis, losing both times to eventual champions.

Kyrgios reached semifinals at Houston (his sole clay event), Stuttgart, and Halle—defeating top seeds including Stefanos Tsitsipas—yet fell short in each semifinal match.

At Wimbledon, Kyrgios made it to his first Grand Slam semifinal since 2015 and proceeded to his inaugural major final after Rafael Nadal withdrew, becoming the first player in the Open Era to advance to a Wimbledon final via walkover. He was defeated by Novak Djokovic in four sets.

In Atlanta, Kyrgios withdrew from singles competition but secured his second doubles title with Kokkinakis. At Washington, he captured his first singles title in three years and also won the doubles trophy partnering with Jack Sock, becoming the tournament’s first player ever to win both titles within the same year.

At the Canadian Open, Kyrgios defeated top seed Medvedev and fellow Australian Alex de Minaur before falling in the quarterfinals. His Cincinnati campaign ended early with a loss to Taylor Fritz.

At the US Open, Kyrgios reached the fourth round for the first time and then overcame world No. 1 Medvedev to advance to his first US Open quarterfinal. This victory marked him as the first Australian since Pat Cash in 1987 to defeat a world No. 1 player twice within a single year. He narrowly lost a five-set quarterfinal match but climbed back into the Top 20 and regained Australia’s No. 1 ranking.

In October, Kyrgios made it to the Japan Open quarterfinals but withdrew due to a knee injury. Alongside Kokkinakis, he qualified for the 2022 ATP Finals doubles event but did not advance beyond round robin play.

Kyrgios concluded 2022 ranked No. 22 in singles and achieved a career-best No. 13 in doubles.

2023–24: Australian Open withdrawal and injury setbacks

Kyrgios was slated to represent Australia at the inaugural United Cup but withdrew because of an ankle injury. He also pulled out of the Adelaide International 2 as a precautionary measure ahead of the Australian Open. On January 13, he won a Fast4 exhibition match against Novak Djokovic at Rod Laver Arena; however, he withdrew from the 2023 Australian Open shortly afterward due to a knee injury that required arthroscopic surgery for a cyst resulting from a lateral meniscus tear.

Although initially anticipated to return at Roland Garros, Kyrgios missed it after sustaining a foot injury during an alleged armed robbery at his residence. While preparing for Wimbledon in June, he suffered a torn wrist ligament during practice and remained sidelined for the rest of 2023. He has since announced intentions to return for the grass-court season of 2024.

In early 2024, Kyrgios disclosed that his wrist injury necessitated innovative surgery aimed at pain management and preventing permanent arthritis. Consequently, he undertook commentary assignments with BBC and ESPN. The ANAFAB full wrist reconstruction performed in September 2023 delayed his competitive comeback; nevertheless, he secured a win against Casper Ruud in a UTS match in September 2024. Kyrgios has confirmed his plan to compete at the Australian Open with aspirations of capturing a Grand Slam title following his prolonged rehabilitation period.

2025: Tour Comeback

In November 2024, Nick Kyrgios announced his return to professional tennis, starting with the World Tennis League in Abu Dhabi in December. He then featured prominently in doubles alongside Novak Djokovic at the 2025 Brisbane International, where they won their opening match before falling in the second round to top-seeded duo Mektic and Venus. Kyrgios’s singles comeback at Brisbane concluded with a three-set tiebreak defeat to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard, during which he maintained his serve but required treatment for a wrist injury. After the match, he expressed reservations about competing in the Australian Open singles event due to his ongoing wrist rehabilitation.

Entering the 2025 Australian Open with a protected ranking of 21, Kyrgios was unseeded and exited in the first round after a three-set loss to Jacob Fearnley. He cited an abdominal injury and hinted that this might be his final singles appearance at this Grand Slam. Industry voices such as Alicia Molik encouraged him to prioritize doubles play. Teaming up with Thanasi Kokkinakis—who competed despite a significant shoulder injury—they retired during their first-round doubles match.

Kyrgios returned to Indian Wells in March 2025 using his protected ranking but withdrew mid-match against Botic Van de Zandschulp due to wrist pain. Despite these setbacks, he remained determined to reclaim competitive form. Van de Zandschulp went on to defeat Djokovic in the following round.

At the 2025 Miami Open, Kyrgios achieved his first ATP victory in 896 days by overcoming Mackenzie McDonald in three sets, which elevated his live ranking into the mid-600s. This win was particularly encouraging amidst his recovery from major wrist surgery addressing a ruptured scapholunate ligament. He was defeated in straight sets by 22nd seed Karen Khachanov in the second round, hampered by wrist and shoulder discomfort. Kyrgios acknowledged this match as an important milestone and committed to continued training aimed at regaining tour-level competitiveness.

ATP Cup

Kyrgios competed in the inaugural ATP Cup in 2020, held across Brisbane and Sydney finals. He secured three consecutive singles victories against Jan-Lennard Struff, Stefanos Tsitsipas, and Cameron Norrie. Additionally, he teamed with Alex de Minaur to win a doubles match against Great Britain during the quarter-finals. His run concluded with a straight-sets loss to Roberto Bautista Agut in the semi-final against Spain.

Davis Cup

Nick Kyrgios has represented Australia eleven times across singles and doubles matches on various surfaces, compiling an 11–6 record predominantly on hard courts.

He made his debut as an 18-year-old in September 2013 against Poland, stepping in for Marinko Matosevic after winning a playoff. Paired with Chris Guccione for doubles, they lost a five-set battle, but Kyrgios secured a singles victory following his opponent’s retirement. Australia claimed the tie 4–1.

In 2014, Australia suffered a 5–0 defeat to a strong French team; Kyrgios was beaten by Richard Gasquet and Gaël Monfils. The team rebounded with a 5–0 win over Uzbekistan, where Kyrgios won both his matches, helping Australia return to the World Group.

During the 2015 quarterfinals versus Kazakhstan, Kyrgios narrowly lost a singles match before injury forced his replacement. Although Australia won 3–2, Kyrgios was omitted from the semi-final squad against Great Britain, which they lost 2–3. He returned in 2016 for a World Group playoff against Slovakia, winning comfortably in straight sets.

In 2017, Australia defeated the Czech Republic 4–1 with Kyrgios securing his singles victory. Leading the team in Brisbane against the USA, he beat John Isner and Sam Querrey in straight sets that included four tiebreaks; Australia prevailed 3–2. In the semi-finals versus Belgium, Kyrgios triumphed over Steve Darcis but lost to David Goffin; Australia fell 3–2.

In the first round of the 2018 World Group against Germany, Kyrgios overcame Jan-Lennard Struff but lost to Alexander Zverev despite playing under painkiller treatment; Australia lost 3–1. This marked the final year of the traditional Davis Cup format before reforms were introduced.

Kyrgios was left out of the 2019 qualifier team but returned for the Davis Cup Finals held in Spain. He won singles matches against Colombia and Belgium but withdrew from quarter-finals due to a collarbone injury; Australia lost narrowly to Canada 1–2.

The Davis Cup was suspended during the COVID-19 pandemic. Kyrgios missed significant ties throughout 2021 and 2022 due to injuries and workload concerns while Australia reached finals but did not secure titles. Selected for the 2023 United Cup, he was sidelined by an ankle injury and subsequently underwent major knee surgery.

Australia once again reached Davis Cup finals in 2023 but were defeated. In November 2024, Team Captain Lleyton Hewitt reopened discussions with Kyrgios regarding his potential return for upcoming Davis Cup commitments following full recovery.

Playing style

Kyrgios is recognized for a notably aggressive approach on court. Having battled childhood asthma and excess weight, he cultivated a playing style that is more forceful than many of his contemporaries. Former British number one John Lloyd commended his "blend of creativity and flair," emphasizing his strong fan appeal. The Guardian characterized his technique as "strikingly flamboyant" and "astonishingly brilliant."

In 2017, the ATP ranked Kyrgios as the fifth greatest server in the history of professional tennis, placing him ahead of notable players such as Novak Djokovic and Roger Federer. His serve can reach speeds up to , securing 78.8% success on first-serve points. His second serve, frequently exceeding , is also highly effective and often results in aces. Goran Ivanišević described him as a "tennis prodigy" and the premier server currently active, highlighting the challenge opponents face when strategizing against him. Kyrgios pairs a powerful forehand with a two-handed backhand, utilizing a diverse range of shots including spins, slices, and drop shots. While his game is best suited to grass and hard surfaces, he made his first ATP final appearance on clay at the Estoril Open.

Underarm serve

Kyrgios brought attention to the underarm serve during the 2019 Mexican Open in a match against Rafael Nadal. In June 2022, following a Wimbledon victory over British player Paul Jubb, he explained employing this tactic after struggling to secure points against Nadal: “I was playing Rafael Nadal for about three hours. I couldn’t win a point. So I threw in an underarm serve... Now everyone uses it.” Nadal criticized the move, calling it disrespectful toward both opponent and spectators.

Kyrgios is credited with reviving and popularizing the underarm serve on the ATP Tour, currently using it more frequently than any other top-level player.

Coaching history

Throughout his career, Kyrgios has collaborated with several coaches but favors relying on his own instincts. In a 2017 interview, he mentioned that coaches attempted to instill more discipline in his game, but he found greater success by trusting his natural playstyle.

From age 10 to 17, Kyrgios was guided by former Australian player Todd Larkham. In 2013, coaching duties were taken over by former professional Desmond Tyson, followed by New Zealand’s Simon Rea, under whose tutelage Kyrgios reached his first Grand Slam quarterfinal at the 2014 Wimbledon Championships. Later in 2014, he reunited with Larkham and added doubles expert Joshua Eagle to his coaching team. Kyrgios attributed these changes partly to wanting to spend more time at home in Canberra.

In June 2015, Kyrgios ended his partnership with Larkham just before Wimbledon and remained without a coach through the rest of 2015 and all of 2016. Prior to the 2015 US Open, he enlisted former world No. 1 Lleyton Hewitt as a short-term coach and mentor.

After nearly two years without formal coaching, Kyrgios hired French ex-player Sébastien Grosjean on a part-time basis from May 2017 until the end of that year. Since then, he has chosen not to have a head coach, stating in 2020 that hiring one would be "pointless" because he prefers playing according to his own instincts rather than pursuing grand slam ambitions.

Despite this approach, several renowned former players have offered their coaching services to him, including Jimmy Connors (2016), Pete Sampras (2016), and John McEnroe (2017, 2020).

Broadcasting, film, and television

Kyrgios made his initial appearance as a guest commentator and analyst on the Tennis Channel during the 2023 ATP Finals, sharing the booth with Andy Roddick and Jim Courier. He subsequently debuted on ESPN at the 2024 Australian Open.

He participated in the documentary Australia's Open, which premiered at the 2023 Melbourne International Film Festival, offering an exploration of the Australian Open’s heritage and its cultural significance.

Kyrgios played a central role in the Netflix tennis docuseries Break Point, released in January 2023. The series chronicles his journey to securing a grand slam doubles title alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis, his battles with mental health, and his run to the 2022 Wimbledon final. Within the series, he also expressed admiration for Novak Djokovic.

On 1 December 2023, Kyrgios was featured on the British talk program Piers Morgan Uncensored, where he discussed topics including mental well-being, support from Andy Murray, disputes with fellow Australian athletes, encounters with racism, and personal struggles.

In 2024, he introduced the celebrity interview show Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios, backed by Naomi Osaka’s company Hana Kuma. This 12-episode series showcased guests such as Mike Tyson, Jemele Hill, Frances Tiafoe, and Novak Djokovic.

That same year, Kyrgios joined the BBC team as a commentator and analyst for Wimbledon. His debut received positive reviews as he covered the Gentlemen’s final between Carlos Alcaraz and Novak Djokovic, delivering insightful pre-match previews and post-match commentary alongside Claire Balding and Tim Henman.

During the 2024 US Open, Kyrgios served as both reporter and co-commentator for ESPN, calling multiple matches including both finals and conducting pre-match interviews with players.

Although he was not part of the 2025 Wimbledon commentary lineup, Kyrgios continued his Good Trouble series with live events at the New Wimbledon Theatre. Additionally, he joined Simon Jordan on the talkSPORT daily podcast during Wimbledon 2025 to discuss tennis-related topics. He also hosted Wimbledon Unfiltered on talkSPORT, which attracted 1.68 million subscribers, and provided commentary for both finals on TNT Sports’ 'Watchalong Wimbledon' format alongside Dan Evans and Coco VandeWeghe.

Early career

At age 17, Kyrgios claimed his first challenger tour title. His commitment was noted by childhood coach Andrew Bulley, who described him as a 'super competitor' training harder than many peers, while his father referred to him as a 'perfectionist'. After defeating Kyrgios in the 2014 Davis Cup when Nick was 18, top French player Richard Gasquet commended Kyrgios’ mindset and potential. Bulley attributes much of Kyrgios’ drive to strong family support. However, the demands of extensive travel and pressure took a toll on him personally, leading to strained family relationships despite his ascending career. His mother remarked that this phase was particularly difficult due to criticism and stress.

Current public perception

Kyrgios continues to be a divisive figure who frequently faces media scrutiny. Since his return in December 2024 following experimental wrist surgery, his impressive showing at the Brisbane International has led to renewed optimism about his future prospects. Although his ranking remains lower than before, he is regularly invited to participate in exhibition matches and team events such as the Ultimate Tennis Showdown and World Tennis League. He remains a significant attraction at live venues, with matches selling out in Brisbane and Melbourne’s John Cain Arena even when injuries have limited his court time.

At Wimbledon 2022, Kyrgios delivered some of his finest performances by reaching the final before falling to Djokovic. Reflecting on this achievement, he noted it took nearly a decade to reach a Grand Slam final but affirmed that his current level is competitive among the elite. When asked about pursuing more finals appearances, he responded with humor that it was "exhausting," showcasing his candid nature.

Players, coaches, and analysts

John Newcombe, former Australian world No. 1 in both singles and doubles, described Kyrgios as "an outstanding talent and a truly unique individual."

Tim Henman, once Britain's top-ranked player, commented: "Kyrgios is both a competitor and an entertainer with the ability to defeat anyone due to his exceptional skill. He stands out and is unafraid to express himself."

Paul Annacone, who coached Roger Federer, observed: "In my opinion, Nick is the most gifted player to emerge since Roger entered the scene."

Following his victory over Kyrgios in the 2022 Wimbledon final, Novak Djokovic expressed: "I have great respect for you. You are an extraordinary tennis player and athlete with remarkable talent."

At a Miami Open press event, Coco Gauff commended Kyrgios for practicing with her despite having already completed a two-hour session with Frances Tiafoe, stating:

"There are aspects of his on-court behavior that some may disagree with. However, moments like hitting with a young player really stand out to me. While many portray him negatively, my experience has been quite different. "If he continues on this path, I believe he has significant potential... I always support him."

Lee McKenzie, who conducts post-match interviews at Wimbledon, remarked: "He is captivating. During Wimbledon 2022, I was first to interview on court. Nick acknowledged my giving him space by nodding and signaling me forward. That mutual respect led to an excellent interview."

John McEnroe

John McEnroe has lauded Kyrgios's abilities, calling him "the most talented player I've witnessed over the past decade" during a 2018 appearance on Australia's Seven Network Sunday Night. Nonetheless, McEnroe cautioned that without full dedication to tennis, Kyrgios risks burning out. While hosting a radio program during the 2021 Wimbledon Championships on BBC Radio 5 Live, McEnroe revealed that if he were to coach any active player, Kyrgios would be his choice.

Character beyond tennis

People familiar with Kyrgios often highlight the stark contrast between his conduct off the court and his competitive demeanor during matches. Hugh van Cuylenburg, who founded the Resilience Project, described Kyrgios as "an extraordinary individual with genuine concern for others," noting that he does not pursue attention for his charitable actions. Fellow Australian player Jason Kubler remarked that Kyrgios’s continual optimism and wit endear him to those around him.

Aid during Australian bushfires

During the summer bushfire crisis, Kyrgios pledged to donate $200 for every ace he served, a commitment that inspired other Australian tennis professionals to follow suit. He also encouraged Tennis Australia to organize a charity exhibition prior to the 2020 Australian Open to further support relief efforts. Prominent athletes such as Serena Williams, Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer took part, contributing to the Aces for Bushfire Relief campaign’s success in raising close to $5 million.

Opinions on Djokovic

In June 2020, Kyrgios openly criticized Novak Djokovic for hosting a charity tennis event that resulted in multiple players, including Djokovic himself, testing positive for COVID-19, labeling it a "thoughtless move."

In January 2021, following Djokovic’s release of quarantine requirements for Australian Open participants, Kyrgios referred to him disparagingly as a "tool." Yet, a year later, when Djokovic was detained by Australian officials due to vaccination status issues, Kyrgios defended him, describing the treatment as unfair despite their previous disagreements. He also acknowledged Djokovic’s generosity during the bushfire crises.

After Djokovic defeated Kyrgios in the 2022 Wimbledon final, Kyrgios complimented him by calling him "a bit of a god," prompting Djokovic to joke that their relationship had become "officially a bromance."

Controversial episodes

Kyrgios’s career has been marked by several contentious incidents on court, especially in its early stages.

During the 2015 Rogers Cup, he made an offensive remark about Stan Wawrinka’s then-partner during their match. Wawrinka condemned the comment as "unacceptable." The ATP fined Kyrgios $13,127 and imposed suspended penalties; subsequently, he issued an apology.

At the 2019 Rome Masters, Kyrgios was defaulted after swearing at a line judge, kicking a bottle, and throwing a chair on court. He immediately accepted the default and apologized. This episode occurred amid efforts to manage disruptive crowd behavior.

The clay season of 2023 witnessed increased disorderly conduct from spectators, leading Roland Garros organizers to implement AI-based solutions aimed at protecting players from physical threats and online abuse. These measures seek to enhance athlete safety amid growing social media harassment.

Mental health challenges

At 19 years old and ranked 144th worldwide, Kyrgios captured global attention by defeating then-world No. 1 Nadal at Wimbledon. Touted as "tennis’s next big star," he found the accompanying pressure overwhelming, describing it as a "dark cloud" during a 2022 podcast interview. In 2018, he openly disclosed his struggles with depression, self-harm, and suicidal ideation. Although he secured tournament victories in 2019, Kyrgios admitted to consuming 20 to 30 alcoholic drinks nightly, which served as a coping mechanism for his difficulties. He has since sought professional assistance, consulting multiple psychologists to better manage his mental well-being.

Endorsements

Kyrgios has secured sponsorship agreements with prominent companies such as Yonex, Nike, and Beats, significantly boosting his commercial appeal.

Personal life

An avid sports enthusiast and investor, Kyrgios supports several teams including the NBA’s Boston Celtics, Premier League’s Tottenham Hotspur, NRL’s Canberra Raiders, and AFL’s North Melbourne. In January 2023, he became part of the ownership group for the NBL’s South East Melbourne Phoenix. Further diversifying his interests, he holds co-ownership in the Miami Pickleball Club, indicating investment in emerging sports sectors.

He shares a close friendship and doubles partnership with Thanasi Kokkinakis, with whom he won the 2022 Australian Open doubles championship and delivered notable performances at Miami, the US Open, and the 2022 ATP Finals.

Since early 2020, Kyrgios has adopted a vegetarian lifestyle, motivated by witnessing the devastating effects of Australia’s 2019–20 bushfires.

Kyrgios has been candid about his mental health experiences, including depression and self-injury, particularly highlighted in Netflix’s Break Point series. His openness is regarded as instrumental in promoting mental health awareness among young male athletes.

Relationships

In December 2021, Kyrgios began a relationship with Costeen Hatzi, a Psychological Sciences graduate who runs businesses specializing in interior and dress design. The couple parted ways in late March 2025 after nearly four years together, coinciding with Kyrgios dedicating increased focus to his tennis career during recovery from wrist and knee surgeries.

Common assault matter

From July 2020 until October 2021, Kyrgios was involved with Chiara Passari. In 2022, he faced court proceedings over a common assault allegation linked to an incident in January 2021. He pleaded guilty in 2023 but was not convicted; the magistrate remarked that the event was "at the lower end of the scale of common assault" and took place "in the heat of the moment."

Singles

Updated through the 2025 Australian Open.

Tournament	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	SR	W–L	Win %
Australian Open	Q1	Q1	2R	QF	3R	2R	4R	1R	4R	3R	2R	A	A	1R	0 / 10	17–10	Template:Tennis win percentage
French Open	A	2R	1R	3RTemplate:Efn-ua	3R	2R	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	0 / 5	5–5	Template:Tennis win percentage
Wimbledon Championships	A	A	QF	4R	4R	1R	3R	2R	NH	3R	FTemplate:Efn-ua	A	A	A	"0 / 8"	"20–8"	"Template:Tennis win percentage"

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Doubles

Tournament	2012	2013	2014	2015	2016	2017	2018	2019	2020	2021	2022	2023	2024	2025	SR	W–L	Win %
Australian Open	A	1R	A	1R	1R	A	2RTemplate:Efn-ua	1R	A	2R	W	A	A	1R	1 / 8	8–6	57%
French Open	A	A	A	1R	1R	3R	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	0 / 3	2–3	40%
Wimbledon Championships	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	A	NH	A	A	A	A	A	0 / 0	0–0	\–
US Open	A	A	1R	A	3RTemplate:Efn-ua	2R	A	2RTemplate:Efn-ua	A	A	3R	A	A		0 / 5	6–3	67%

Singles: 1 (1 runner-up)

Result	Year	Tournament	Surface	Opponent	Score
Runner-up	2022	"Wimbledon"	"Grass"	\u00a0Template:Country data "SRB"Template:Namespace detect showall Novak Djokovic	"6–4, 3–6, 4–6, 6–7^(3–7)"

Doubles: 1 (1 championship)

Result	Year	Tournament	Surface	Partner	Opponents	Score
Champion	2022	Australian Open	"Hard"	\u00a0Template:Country data "AUS"Template:Namespace detect showall Thanasi Kokkinakis	\u00a0Template:Country data "AUS"Template:Namespace detect showall Matthew Ebden \u00a0Template:Country data "AUS"Template:Namespace detect showall Max Purcell	"7–5, 6–4"

External links

• Official website
• Nick Kyrgios writes on PlayersVoice