Nick Kyrgios’s much-anticipated return to singles competition came to an abrupt conclusion at the Brisbane International on Tuesday morning, with the Australian suffering a comprehensive first-round defeat, reports BritPanorama.
The 30-year-old, competing in his maiden ATP Tour singles match since March, was dispatched 6-3 6-4 by American Aleksandar Kovacevic in a mere 65 minutes. This marked Kyrgios’s seventh ATP singles appearance over the past three years, following a lengthy absence due to multiple knee and wrist operations.
The former world No 13, who received a wildcard entry for the Brisbane event, struggled to establish any rhythm against his 58th-ranked opponent. Kovacevic proved clinical throughout the encounter, striking 27 winners compared to just 10 from Kyrgios while losing only a single point on his first serve.
The Australians’ downfall stemmed from two careless service games. He dropped his serve at 3-4 in the opening set after an overhit drop shot and a missed forehand volley, then surrendered the break again at 4-4 in the second. Despite the competitive setting, Kyrgios appeared relaxed, deploying his trademark underarm serve and chatting with his brother seated nearby between games.
Kovacevic commented on the match: “A tough one to approach; you don’t know what you’re going to get with Nick, whether he’s healthy or not. I just knew I had to be pretty locked in.” Kyrgios currently sits at 670th in the world rankings and remains hopeful of securing a wildcard for the Australian Open, which starts on January 18 in Melbourne. This defeat does little to bolster his chances of competing at his home Grand Slam, where he last appeared in 2025, losing in the opening round to Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.
His Brisbane campaign continues in the doubles alongside compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis, with the pair progressing to the second round following victory on Sunday. Kyrgios is also scheduled to feature at the Kooyong Classic exhibition event in Melbourne next week, although he has indicated his immediate playing future remains uncertain.
The return to singles comes shortly after the modern “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match between Kyrgios and Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai on December 28. Many analysts, including former British No1 Annabel Croft, argued that this match invited unnecessary and unfavourable comparisons between the men’s and women’s games.
Australian coach Roger Rasheed labelled the match “insulting,” stating that as the women’s world No1, Sabalenka had nothing to gain and everything to lose by playing a man ranked 671st, potentially validating misogynistic claims if she lost. Critics, including Billie Jean King herself, noted that while the original 1973 match was a landmark for social change and gender equality, this 2025 iteration was purely a “publicity stunt” or a commercial venture. World No 2 Iga Swiatek expressed disinterest, asserting that women’s tennis “needed” such a match and that the sport should stand on its own without needing comparisons to men. The BBC, which aired the match, faced backlash for “indulging” the spectacle and for technical glitches that caused picture loss during the broadcast.
In the end, Kyrgios’s performance brought to light the precarious balance of expectation and reality in sport, a stark reminder of how even the most flamboyant talents can stumble on their paths back to glory.
