BRISBANE, Australia — Nick Kyrgios has announced his anticipated return to competitive tennis at the Brisbane International, which is set to start on December 29. This will mark his first participation in an ATP Tour event after being largely absent for over two years, having played just one match since then.

The 29-year-old athlete has been dealing with serious injuries to his wrist and knee since reaching the quarterfinals at the 2022 U.S. Open. This followed a remarkable run where he came within a match of winning a Grand Slam title at Wimbledon, eventually losing to Novak Djokovic in a four-set final.

In addition to his plans for the Brisbane International, Kyrgios has also expressed his intentions to compete in the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne. He will participate in the World Tennis League exhibition event taking place in Abu Dhabi from December 19 to 22, joining other top players such as Iga Swiatek, Casper Ruud, Aryna Sabalenka, Taylor Fritz, and Daniil Medvedev in this mixed team competition.

Kyrgios was unable to compete in the 2023 Australian Open due to a knee injury that required surgical intervention. His challenges continued that year, as he also had to withdraw from the French Open due to a foot problem. The seven-time ATP Tour titleholder faced further setbacks when he tore a ligament in his wrist, necessitating another surgery. His last match on tour was a brief comeback on grass at Stuttgart in June 2023.

At this time, Kyrgios is not holding a ranking, having previously reached as high as 13th. He expressed excitement about returning to the tennis scene, particularly in front of local fans. “Honestly, this is probably the best I’ve felt in two years,” Kyrgios shared with a Melbourne television station. “I had a fantastic year in 2022. But during the finals at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, I began to experience some challenges with my wrist. After undergoing wrist reconstruction, I’m now feeling incredible.”