By Richard Pagliaro | Tuesday, November 25, 2025
Photo: Laver Cup Facebook
Nick Kyrgios will be back in action in a homecoming exhibition.
Kyrgios, 30, has signed to play in the 2026 Kooyong Classic for January 13-15. Kyrgio’s participation is a sign that the former two-time Australian Open champion could be in line for an Australian Open wild card.
Former world number 13 Kyrgios joins a star-studded field in Kooyong that includes world number 8 Lorenzo Musetti, number 11 Alexander Bublik, Italian Davis Cup heroes Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Berrettini, young American Learner Tien, former US Open champion Marin Cilic and former Miami Open champion Hubert.
The post-Christmas season will be a busy one on the court for Kyrgios.
Battle of the Sexes clash between two-time US Open champion Aryna Sabalenka and former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios is set for December 28 at the Coca Cola Arena in Dubai.
Kyrgios said he wants to see tennis create more rivalries and “more banter” and believes the matchup could draw even more interest to the sport.
“Tennis needs more rivalries. Tennis needs more jokes, 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 of the reporter Nicholas Albek from Bolavip in Stockholm last monthHolger Rune said he fully supports a Kyrgios return to the pro circuit.
Rune cites Kyrgios’ “extremely high level” of tennis on court, as well as his penchant for craziness off the court as dual draws for tennis. Read the full Rune interview with Nicholas Albek and Bolavip here.
“Nick Kyrgios has always been very good to me, so we’ve always had a very good relationship. I don’t know if he’ll come back, but it would be good for tennis because he’s always had some very exciting matches.”
“Nick’s high level, when he played against Federer, Nadal and Djokovic, was extremely 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. Extremely cool guy, who unfortunately we’ll only see for another year on Tour.”
