After a lengthy absence from professional tennis Nick Kyrgios’ current form is good enough to take him deep into the Australian Open, according to Lleyton Hewitt.
The former top-20 player is set to return to the Tour later this week in Melbourne at the Murray River Open where he will be the 13th seed. Kyrgios hasn’t played on the Tour since February 26th when he retired during his first round match at the Acapulco Open in Mexico. The last match he completed was at the Australian Open 12 months ago where he lost to Rafael Nadal in the fourth round.
25-year-old Kyrgios has been sidelined from action due to a combination of both injury and the COVID-19 pandemic. Unlike others, the Australian chose not to travel to North America or Europe due to concerns related to the virus. A decision which was also taken by women’s world No.1 Ash Barty.
Despite his lengthy absence, ATP Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt is confident that Kyrgios could still have a good run at the upcoming Grand Slam. Speaking to reporters on Sunday, Hewitt believes the break in tennis is a blessing in disguise for his fellow countryman.
“I think as a whole him having a bit of a break away from the sport where he’s positioned, for his body and mind I think is a good thing. Because he hasn’t played a match for so long, though, it’s not going to be easy for him just to come out and switch it on either,” he explained.
“I think it’s perfect for him to hopefully get through a few rounds in one of the ATP tournaments that he’s playing this week.”
Whilst there will be the inevitable rust in Kyrgios’ form when he steps onto the court, Hewitt has provided a glimpse into how his game is holding up on the practice courts. Describing him as hitting as ‘clean’ before adding that the world No.47 is ‘serving big.’
“I think it’s important for him to get some of those nerves out of the way this week, so come the Australian Open in a bit over a week’s time he’s ready to go,” he said.
“Trying to just switch it on for five-set tennis when you haven’t played for nearly a year isn’t going to be easy.’
“He’s hitting the ball well enough to push deep in the Australian Open for sure. I think next week’s a good challenge for him. Yeah, just to get out there and feel it again.”
It was six years ago where Kyrgios achieved his best ever run at the Australian Open by reaching the quarter-finals in 2015. Since then, he has enjoyed mixed success in Melbourne Park by reaching the fourth round twice and losing in the first round once since 2018.
Despite Hewitt’s words of encouragement, Kyrgios himself is more reserve when it comes to his chances over the coming weeks.
“I feel like I am playing well and am ready to go. Everyone is really playing it by ear. Nobody really knows who is in form and who is not. I’m going to take it day by day and try to enjoy myself as much as I can,” he recently told reporters.
Kyrgios will play France’s Alexandre Müller in the first round of the Muller River Open on Monday.
