“It would save us a lot of effort on scheduling” : Nick Kyrgios wants to change a few things regarding Grand Slams
After two years with a serious wrist injury, Nick Kyrgios’s long-awaited return is finally upon us as the Australian superstar is almost ready to lace up his shoes.
In what appeared to be a career threatening injury, the 29-year-old initially had doubts returning to the game until Novak Djokovic changed his mind. After a few disagreements and public spats during the pandemic, the two have become good mates after the 2022 Wimbledon final as the Serbian encouraged the Australian to return as soon as possible.
Kyrgios admitted to The AO Show recently that the 37-year-old’s comments were the reason he has tried to return sooner.
“I went to Wimbledon and announced I would be hitting with some of the players there. Novak was there and I hit with him for three days. That’s when I realised I was only starting to serve then and he was like it doesn’t look like you have had surgery, you are moving really well and playing really well.”
“That’s when I looked at my team and was like maybe we can return, we’re on the right track. That was probably the turning moment when Novak said that, I was like okay we are doing something right here and gearing for a return.” the Australian explained.
It is a shame to suffer such an injury during the prime years of your playing career, but Kyrgios has endured that and will look to start off where he left with his 2022 form.
Although, the Australian would want to change a few things around, especially in Grand Slam tournaments.
“It’s actually boring” : Nick Kyrgios provides some ideas on how to make Grand Slams more exciting
Kyrgios was also asked about what he would change in the current era of tennis, to which he explained how the length of matches in the Grand Slam tournaments are too much, as many have ended after 2am which is obviously a fault in the system that needs to be looked after.
“I would make Grand Slams best of three up until the quarter-finals. It would save us a lot of effort on scheduling. The first week’s scheduling gets out of control. I think with both the men’s side playing best of five and the women’s sometimes going long best of three, men’s matching aren’t finishing until like 2 or 3am. It’s not sustainable.” Kyrgios said.
The Australian also wants to save time by making matches best of two out of three up until the quarter-finals; and the better players would regardless end up winning.
“If you made it best two out of three until the quarter-finals I think you would see some guys break through to the quarter-finals but the better players would end up winning anyway, best of five. That’s what I would immediately change with a Grand Slam.
“It would make it more exciting as well, as some of these top players lose a set in the early rounds and it’s right away back against the wall. How many times have we seen one of the best players in the draw lose a first set and think he is going to come back and win anyway? It’s actually boring.” the 29-year-old added.
It has been confirmed that Kyrgios has planned to mark his return at the Brisbane International in the 2025 ATP Tour, which will be ahead of the Australian Open. The former world no. 13 won the competition back in 2018, and will look to do the same as fans are excited to finally watch one of the best of this generation back in action soon.
