Nick Kyrgios thought he 'would never play tennis again' as he claims first ATP Tour win since 2022 amid injury struggles

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Nick Kyrgios reckons he is beginning to shake off the ring rust after his long injury absence. The Australian is through to the second round of the Miami Open after winning his first match on the ATP Tour since October 2022. He admits he thought his career might have been over at one point, but the success against Mackenzie McDonald has put 'a bit more petrol in the tank', the Australian claimed.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia celebrates during his match against Mackenzie McDonald of the United States in the first round of the men's singles in the Miami Open at the Hard Rock Stadium on March 19, 2025 in Miami Gardens, Florida.

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Nick Kyrgios has admitted he thought his days as a tennis player might have been over during his long struggle with injury - but he has now breathed new life into his career.

The former Wimbledon finalist beat Mackenzie McDonald on Wednesday to reach the second round of the Miami Open.

The 3-6 6-3 6-4 victory is his first at ATP level since October 2022.

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In the nearly two-and-a-half years since then, the Australian has been plagued by knee and wrist problems.

The latter even forced him to retire during his first round match with Botic van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells a fortnight ago, when he attempted to hold back the tears as he left the court.

There were no such issues this time around though, as he came from behind to register an impressive success.

"Honestly, I thought I'd never play tennis again, to be brutally honest with you," he said on court after his victory.

"It was going that way. I've had conversations with my camp and my team; guys that are leaving their families to be here with me to try and get me on the court.

"I was like, 'I don't know how long I can keep doing this for.'

"But obviously this puts a bit more petrol in the tank. I need to be realistic. I'll see how my wrist pulls up tomorrow, because it is a grind out here."

It has been a long road back to fitness for Kyrgios, who has hinted on many occasions that he might call it a day.

He had only played five non-exhibition singles matches since the Japan Open in 2022, where he beat Tseng Chun-hsin and Kamil Majchrzak, before failing to take to the court for a third-round clash with Taylor Fritz.

A straight sets defeat to Britain's Jacob Fearnley in the first round of his home tournament, the Australian Open, earlier this year, provided a particular low point.

But he has now played in back-to-back tournaments, and is beginning to shake off the ring rust.

"I feel like I've been returning pretty much a little bit better every match I play," he continued. "Just being back on the court against these world class players, I'm kind of picking up my return.

"But my serve, I'm kind of going too big. I need to get that confidence back. I need to get that first serve percentage up.

"That was the key for me today. He's such a good returner. If I gave him too many looks, I would have been in trouble."

Kyrgios will now play two-time Grand Slam semi-finalist Karen Khachanov, seeded 22nd, for a place in the third round.

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