By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, November 25, 2025Photo credit: Laver Cup Facebook
Nick Kyrgios will return to action in an exhibition homecoming.
The 30-year-old Kyrgios has signed on to play the 2026 Kooyong Classic set for January 13-15th. Kyrgios’ participation is a sign the former Australian Open doubles champion could be in line for an Australian Open wild card.
Former world No. 13 Kyrgios joins a star-studded Kooyong field that includes world No. 8 Lorenzo Musetti, No. 11 Alexander Bublik, Italian Davis Cup heroes Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Berrettini, rising young American Learner Tien, former US Open champion Marin Cilic and former Miami Open champion Hubert Hurkacz.
The post-Christmas season will be a busy one on court for Kyrgios.
The Battle of the Sexes clash between two-time US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios is set for December 28th at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai.
Kyrgios said he wants to see tennis establish more rivalry and “more quackery” and believes this showdown can attract even more interest to the sport.
“Tennis needs more rivalries. Tennis needs more quackery, like the NBA in the 90s,” Kyrgios said. “You can’t please everyone.
“I’m not friends with many players and I’m not interested in being one.”
Speaking to journalist Nicholas Albek of Bolavip in Stockholm last month, Holger Rune said he fully supports a Kyrgios comeback to the pro circuit.
Rune cites Kyrgios “insanely high level” of tennis on court as well as his penchant for craziness off court as dual attractions for tennis. Read Rune’s complete interview with Nicholas Albek and Bolavip here.
“Nick Kyrgios has always been very nice to me, so we’ve always had a really good relationship. I don’t know if he’s coming back, but it would be good for tennis because he’s always had some very exciting matches.”
“[Nick’s] top level, back when he played against Federer, Nadal, and Djokovic, was insanely high, so you have to respect that,” Rune said. “I know he’s struggling a lot with his body, so that’s probably the biggest thing he has to overcome. Whether he does or not, time will tell.”
“We haven’t talked about a new exhibition match, although that would be fun. I ended up playing one against Monfils instead. Insanely cool guy, whom unfortunately we’ll only get to see for one more year on the Tour.”
