Nick Kyrgios explains when he could retire and how he wants to ‘shut people up’ about his injury comeback after more than a year on the sidelines

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has lifted the lid on what motivates him to return to the tennis court after injuries forced him to spend around 14 months on the sidelines.

The 29-year-old has also spoken out about when he could retire, claiming that while he is ‘nowhere near done’, he claimed he still has ‘one or two more years to go’ at the top level.

Kyrgios, who has won seven titles on the ATP Tour during his career, last played in June 2023 at the Stuttgart Open, his only competitive match in almost two years.

The Australian endured a torrid 2023 with a spate of injuries that saw him withdraw from the United Cup for the first time in January to rest an ankle injury ahead of the Australian Open. He would subsequently withdraw from the Grand Slam in Melbourne due to a knee injury that required surgery.

But more misery was to follow, with Kyrgios forced to rule himself out of the French Open due to an injury suffered during an alleged robbery at his home and later tearing a ligament in his wrist forcing him out of Wimbledon.

Nick Kyrgios appears to be closing in on a return to the tennis court later this December

A spate of injuries has sidelined Kyrgios over the past year, with the Australian star playing just one competitive match in the last two years.

During his time off the court, Kyrgios has dipped his toes into the media and has been impressed with his insights at the Australian Open and Wimbledon.

After dipping his toes into the media world for the past twelve months, it appears a reinvigorated Kyrgios is preparing for his return to the court in December for the World Tennis League, according to Code sports.

But it appears the comeback is imminent for the Australian star, who gave a positive update on his condition before revealing what’s motivating his return.

“I’m coming back because something is holding me back in the match,” Kyrgios said Code sports during an interview.

‘I’ve beaten almost everyone in front of me, reached the final of a Grand Slam, won a doubles title in a Grand Slam, won multiple titles and made money.

‘But I think the only thing on my mind now is a Grand Slam. I think this is the one thing that will ultimately shut people up. That will be my deep motivation.’

Kyrgios has previously tasted Grand Slam glory by winning the Australian Open men’s doubles in 2022 with compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis.

That same year he would reach the Wimbledon final but would suffer a defeat to Novak Djokovic, the furthest he has ever progressed in men’s singles at a Grand Slam.

The 29-year-old has now claimed he is using his desire to win a Grand Slam in men’s singles to fuel his injury comeback and ‘silence’ his opponents.

Kyrgios (right) is yet to win a men’s singles title at a Grand Slam, despite reaching the 2022 Wimbledon final, where he was defeated by Novak Djokovic (left)

While he is hungry to end his long wait for a Grand Slam title, Kyrgios revealed he may only have a few years left at the top level.

‘To be honest, I’m not done yet. “I am in the later stages of my career but I still have one or two years to go… I feel extremely good,” he told Code Sports.

“I’m hitting about three hours a day now. My wrist from the operation has completely healed and I feel motivated.’

Kyrgios added that he owes a large part of his life to tennis, adding that he wants to keep retirement in the back of his mind.

“I don’t want to think about retirement, but at the same time I understand that it will end,” Krygios said.

“I don’t think it will ever be easy.”

The 29-year-old also opened up about when he might retire, saying that while he was ‘nowhere near done’, he claimed he still had ‘one or two years to go’.

Kyrgios has previously claimed he will make his return at the Australian Open next year, but had previously stated he was ‘exhausted’ by the grind of the ATP Tour.

In his time off the court, Kyrgios has impressed as a commentator for the BBC and Eurosport at Wimbledon and the Australian Open.