"The match disappointed the capacity crowd in Pat Rafter Arena, who had hoped a first singles ATP Tour match since March for the sport's self-styled maverick would springboard Kyrgios back to relevance, after a promising doubles performance on Sunday. Instead, it vindicated the ongoing reluctance of Australian Open officials to hand the former world No 13 a precious place at the Melbourne Park grand slam starting on 18 January."
"Kyrgios' preparation for the summer has been limited to a series of exhibitions, including the Battle of the Sexes against Aryna Sabalenka, and the doubles match in Brisbane alongside friend Thanasi Kokkinakis. But his lack of competitiveness on Tuesday appeared to surprise even Kovacevic, the University of Illinois graduate with a powerful all-round game. To be honest, I was expecting a little more than that in terms of adversity today, he told the on-court announcer after the match."
Nick Kyrgios lost to Aleksandar Kovacevic 6-3 6-4 in 66 minutes at the Brisbane International in his first competitive singles match in almost 10 months. Kyrgios is recovering from knee and wrist surgeries and played only five times on the ATP Tour in 2025. He struggled with mobility and return, was broken twice, and won just a single point on Kovacevic's first serve, while Kovacevic did not face a break point. Preparations were limited to exhibitions and one doubles match, and Kyrgios wore an ankle brace and a taped wrist, appearing far from his peak.
Read at www.theguardian.com
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