- Kyrgios scores job commentating for ATP finals
- Aussie has only played one match this entire year
- It is not known when Kyrgios will return to tennis
Enigmatic Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has hardly been near a tournament during a horror 2023 season, but that’s about to change with his new job on a TV commentary team for the upcoming ATP Finals.
Kyrgios has played just one match in 2023 after knee surgery ruled him out of the Australian Open, then a wrist injury derailed plans for a Wimbledon return and tilt at the US Open after he lost his only match of the year in straight sets in Stuttgart.
The controversial star has not been seen on court since, with rumours circulating that he may be close to retiring from the sport.
There have been some suggestions that Kyrgios will play at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown event in December, as he perhaps readies himself for a return at the Australian Open in January.
On Tuesday the outspoken Aussie confirmed he will work as a guest commentator and analyst for The Tennis Channel at the ATP Finals in Turin later this month.
Nick Kyrgios has landed a job doing TV commentary for the upcoming ATP Finals
The controversial Aussie has played just one match in 2023 after injury woes
‘Nick Kyrgios, whose electric style of play and straight-to-the-point conversational approach have endeared him to millions of fans around the world, is joining Tennis Channel as an analyst during its coverage of the ATP Finals November 12-19,’ read a statement from the network, which Kyrgios posted on Instagram.
‘It will be Kyrgios’ first time working with the network, and it will happen during the most exclusive event in men’s tennis, with just the top-eight singles players and doubles teams qualifying for the event based on points earned during the 2023 season.’
Kyrgios has said he ‘misses playing tennis’ and stated that he is working on ‘returning as soon as possible,’ but with just one game played so far in 2023 the chances fans will see him play in the Australian Open seem very small indeed.
‘To my millions of fans out there, I guess we just have to be patient,’ Kyrigos wrote on Instagram after withdrawing from the US Open.
‘Trust me, I still have some fire left in the tank, my body just needs time to recover and get back. I’m still as motivated as ever, in the gym, treatment, recovery.
‘Everything off court is doing great. I am eyeing to come back and have a season like my last again,’
The Aussie firebrand has completely dropped off the ATP Tour rankings after almost an entire calendar year of inactivity, and Aussie tennis great Wally Masur believes his comeback success will depend on his motivation.
‘Can Nick come back and play a part in all this? Absolutely, because anyone who serves like he does is always competitive. He might even have the best serve in the game right now,’ said Masur.
It is not known if Kyrgios will be playing at the next Australian Open – but signs don’t look good
Kyrgios has has completely dropped off the ATP Tour rankings after almost a full year of inactivity and two Aussie tennis greats say he will need to be motivated to get back to the top
‘Can he do it? Yes, but it probably comes down to motivation and making sure his body doesn’t let him down.
‘He’s pretty crucial for Australian and world tennis, so it would be good to have him back.’
Two-time Grand Slam finalist Mark Philippoussis would love to see Kyrgios dominating the ATP tour, but says the Aussie ace must first put all his time and energy into getting his body right.
‘I don’t know what he does off the court, and I think a lot of people have questioned his commitment as far as his training in the gym and on the practice court,’ said Philippoussis.
‘It doesn’t matter how talented you are, when you have that first surgery – especially being a big guy – if you’re not doing the right things, then it’s tough.
‘You need to work twice as hard, and if you don’t do that, it could be an avalanche effect.’