Nick Kyrgios secured a straight-sets victory over world No. 36 Corentin Moutet in the opening round of the ATP tournament in Stuttgart, marking a successful start to his latest comeback campaign.
The Australian had been sidelined from singles competition since a 66-minute defeat to Aleksandar Kovacevic at the Brisbane International in January.
Prior to this appearance at the Wimbledon warmup event in Germany on Tuesday, the 31-year-old had sat out the entire 2024 season and recorded only a single singles victory since October 2022.
Kyrgios relied on powerful serves and trademark showmanship, incorporating drop shots and tweeners to defeat his French opponent 6-3, 6-4 in under an hour.
Emotional Return
Following the match, Kyrgios expressed his satisfaction with returning to competitive tennis after previously harboring uncertainties about his future at the highest level of the sport.
"I had a wrist reconstruction, I've had four knee surgeries, so I'm really battling, but at the same time I've put in a lot of work, I'm really feeling good about myself," Kyrgios said.
"Honestly, there were so many times I was thinking: 'Why am I playing? What more do I need to do?'
And I look at you guys and this is why I'm playing, so I'll hang around a little longer," he added.
"I'm pleased with the way I played today, I'm pleased with the way I'm feeling in my body, I've been putting in a lot of work so I'm just really happy to be back," Kyrgios stated.
A prior comeback attempt by the player concluded with a mixed doubles loss and an early departure for the "Special Ks" tandem at the Australian Open, where he and partner Thanasi Kokkinakis fell in the opening round to fellow Australians Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans.
After that loss, Kyrgios indicated a need to reassess his upcoming tournament plans. "I've done everything I thought I could do.
I don't know. I don't know what I'm going to do [going forward]," Kyrgios said at the time.
Those remarks sparked widespread speculation regarding the potential end of his professional tennis career.
However, those doubts were answered on the grass courts of Stuttgart, where a strong performance could potentially position the 2022 Wimbledon finalist for a wildcard entry in London.
"I'm so thrilled to be back, and playing some high-level tennis as well," Kyrgios said, adding, "Confident?
I don't know if that is a word I'm feeling quite yet. Obviously, I will see how I feel tomorrow."
Kyrgios is scheduled to compete next against Japan's Sho Shimabukuro, who holds a ranking of 101, on Thursday, following a doubles appearance alongside partner Alexander Bublik on Wednesday.
