"He’s got a massive game": Pat Rafter backs Nick Kyrgios for major Australian Open comeback

Former world number one Pat Rafter has refused to rule Nick Kyrgios out of contention for big results in the upcoming Australian Open. The first Grand Slam of 2025 will begin on January 12, and players from all over the world will battle to secure the ultimate prize.

Kyrgios is set to make a much-awaited comeback to the court after a gap of more than two years in Melbourne. The former world number 13 has stayed out of action for more than two years because of fitness concerns. He has missed the last eight Grand Slams because of his absence.

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Former world number one Rafter was recently quoted in a report backing Kyrgios to produce big results in the upcoming mega-event. The 51-year-old, who won two Grand Slams in his career, believes the Canberra-born star has too much talent to be written off.

“You’d never write anyone off with the talent that Nick has. It’s pretty amazing,” said Rafter. “I really don’t know what he’s done, though. A year and a half off the game … so it’s going to be interesting. I have no expectations or no understanding about how he is going to go. He’s got a massive game. But then can he keep it together? Can his body hold up? Can his mind hold together? They’re probably his really big hurdles, especially his body. If you don’t play competitively, God, it’s a completely different thing than to training.”

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Kyrgios does not have a great record while playing at the Australian Open. His best appearance in the mega-event came in the 2015 edition, where he was knocked out after losing in the quarterfinal to former world number one Andy Murray in straight sets with a score of 6-3, 7-6, 6-3. His last appearance in the Australian Open was back in 2022, where he was knocked out after losing in the second round to Russia’s Daniil Medvedev with a score of 7-6, 6-4, 4-6, 6-2.