Tennis bad-boy Nick Kyrgios is set to return to the sport at the Brisbane International after spending two years struggling with injury.
The Australian has struggled with significant injury issues and has not played since June 2023, losing in the opening round of the Stuttgart Open in what proved to be his only match since the end of 2022.
Kyrgios is currently unranked on the ATP Tour though it is now confirmed that he will join a star-studded cast at the ATP 250 event in Brisbane next season, with action beginning on December 29th.
The Australian has had success at the tournament previously, defeating Ryan Harrison in the 2018 final to lift one of his seven ATP Tour singles titles.
"The Brisbane International has always been a great event and I have had some amazing memories there, particularly when I won the event in 2018," Kyrgios said in a statement.
"I am feeling fit and healthy, and I am excited for my return to tennis following some time out of the sport.
"It has been a long journey of recovery to be where I am today, one of the goals I had set was to be able to play during the Aussie summer, so I am excited that I get to start in Brisbane which is one of my favourite tournaments.
"I am looking forward to being back out on court in front of the Aussie crowds."
Kyrgios has a protected ranking of world No 21 that he can use as he looks to return to permanent action in 2025.
The 29-year-old initially suffered an ankle injury though was then forced to withdraw from the 2023 Australian Open due to a knee injury which required surgery.
Kyrgios then suffered a foot injury that ruled him out of the French Open, before sustaining a significant wrist injury that required further surgery and has ruled him out since June 2023.
Since then, he has turned to broadcasting, working for the likes of ESPN, Eurosport, and the BBC, during his hiatus, while briefly appearing at Patrick Mouratoglou's UTS in New York.
"Nick Kyrgios, who will join fellow top-30 Australians, Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson in Brisbane this summer, adds genuine star power as a Grand Slam finalist and the 2018 Brisbane International champion," added tournament director Cam Pearson.
"Nick, who has had success here in the past, will kick off his 2025 comeback in Brisbane and I am excited, as I know all tennis fans will be, to see him back on court showcasing his best tennis and entertaining the crowds in a way that only Nick can."
Kyrgios joins the likes of defending champion Grigor Dimitrov, 2024 finalist Holger Rune, and Gael Monfils in headlining the men's event.
Meanwhile, the WTA 500 event is set to be led by current world No 1 Aryna Sabalenka, alongside the likes of Jessica Pegula and Emma Navarro.
