What Happened to Nicholas Hilmy Kyrgios?
Nick Kyrgios is an Australian professional tennis player known for his powerful serve, audacious shot-making, and often controversial on-court demeanor. After a significant period plagued by knee and wrist injuries, including missing the entire 2024 season, Kyrgios made a triumphant return to singles play at the ATP Stuttgart Open in June 2026, signaling his intent to compete in the grass-court season. He reached the Wimbledon final in 2022 and won the Australian Open men's doubles title the same year.
Quick Answer
Nick Kyrgios has recently returned to professional tennis after an extended absence due to multiple surgeries on his knee and a wrist reconstruction. As of June 2026, he made a winning comeback at the Stuttgart Open, his first singles victory since March 2025. He is currently unranked but is aiming for a full grass-court season, including a potential wildcard entry into Wimbledon, where he was a finalist in 2022.
📊Key Facts
📅Complete Timeline15 events
Wins Australian Open Junior Singles Title
Kyrgios wins his first and only junior Grand Slam singles title at the Australian Open, defeating Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Wimbledon Quarterfinalist, Defeats Rafael Nadal
As a wildcard ranked 144th, Kyrgios defeats world No. 1 Rafael Nadal in the fourth round of Wimbledon, becoming the lowest-ranked player to beat a world No. 1 at a Grand Slam since 1992. He reaches the quarterfinals.
Achieves Career-High Singles Ranking
Kyrgios reaches his career-high singles ranking of world No. 13.
Italian Open Disqualification and Fine
During a match against Casper Ruud at the Italian Open, Kyrgios is disqualified for unsportsmanlike conduct after throwing a chair onto the court and is fined.
Wins Australian Open Men's Doubles Title
Partners with Thanasi Kokkinakis to win the men's doubles title at the Australian Open, their maiden Grand Slam title.
Wimbledon Singles Finalist
Kyrgios reaches his first major singles final at Wimbledon, where he loses to Novak Djokovic in four sets.
Undergoes Knee Surgery
Withdraws from the Australian Open due to a knee injury requiring arthroscopic surgery for a torn lateral meniscus.
Common Assault Charge Dropped
Pleads guilty to a common assault charge from a January 2021 incident involving his former girlfriend but is not convicted, with the magistrate ruling he 'acted poorly in the heat of the moment'.
Withdraws from Wimbledon due to Wrist Injury
Tears a ligament in his wrist during a practice session, forcing him to withdraw from Wimbledon and miss the rest of the 2023 season.
Misses Entire Season Due to Injuries
Kyrgios misses the entire 2024 tennis season as he continues to recover from his knee and wrist issues.
First Singles Win Since 2022 at Miami Open
Records his first singles victory since October 2022 at the Miami Open, defeating Mackenzie McDonald.
Withdraws from Wimbledon 2025
Announces his withdrawal from the 2025 Wimbledon Championships due to a recurring knee issue, stating he 'won't make it back for grass season'.
Practice at Australian Open, Loses Brisbane Opener
Kyrgios is seen practicing at the Australian Open, though he had lost his only singles match of the year at the Brisbane International to Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Confirms Relationship with Danai Stamati
On his 31st birthday, Kyrgios officially confirms his relationship with Danai Stamati on Instagram, stating they had been together for three months.
Winning Return at Stuttgart Open
Makes a winning return to singles tennis at the ATP Stuttgart Open, defeating Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-4. This marks his first singles victory since March 2025 and his first on grass since the 2022 Wimbledon final.
🔍Deep Dive Analysis
Nicholas 'Nick' Hilmy Kyrgios, born April 27, 1995, has been one of the most compelling and polarizing figures in professional tennis since turning pro in 2013. His career has been marked by immense talent, including a career-high singles ranking of world No. 13 in October 2016, seven ATP Tour singles titles, and a Grand Slam doubles title at the 2022 Australian Open with Thanasi Kokkinakis. Kyrgios is also one of only three players to have defeated each of the 'Big Three' (Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer, and Rafael Nadal) in their first encounters.
The pinnacle of his singles career came in 2022 when he reached the Wimbledon final, ultimately losing to Novak Djokovic in four sets. This period saw a more consistent and focused Kyrgios, leading many to believe it was the start of a new, more successful chapter. However, this momentum was severely curtailed by a series of debilitating injuries. In early 2023, he underwent knee surgery for a cyst caused by a lateral meniscus tear. This was followed by a significant wrist injury, a complete rupture of the scapholunate ligament, which profoundly impacted his ability to return to the circuit.
The injury ordeal led to a prolonged absence from the sport. Kyrgios missed the entire 2024 season and played only five tour-level singles matches in 2025. His limited appearances and ongoing physical struggles led to speculation about his retirement, with Kyrgios himself admitting in early 2025 that he would need 'almost a miracle' to compete normally again and that if he returned, it would be 'a bonus'. He also withdrew from Wimbledon 2025 due to a recurring knee issue.
Beyond injuries, Kyrgios has frequently been in the headlines for his controversial behavior, including fines for verbal abuse, audible obscenities, unsportsmanlike conduct, and racket smashing. A common assault charge related to an incident in January 2021 was dropped in 2023 after he pleaded guilty but was not convicted. He also settled a lawsuit with a spectator he accused of being 'drunk out of her mind' during the 2022 Wimbledon final.
As of June 11, 2026, Kyrgios has made an emotional and successful return to singles tennis at the ATP Stuttgart Open on June 9, 2026, securing his first singles win in 15 months against Corentin Moutet. He is unranked but has received a wildcard for the upcoming Halle Open (June 15-21, 2026) and plans to play a full grass-court season. His girlfriend, Danai Stamati, publicly expressed her pride in his comeback, confirming their relationship which began in early 2026. Despite the physical battles, Kyrgios remains a captivating presence in tennis, with his recent return sparking renewed hope among fans for his continued participation.
What If...?
Explore alternate histories. What if Nicholas Hilmy Kyrgios made different choices?