"I've beaten pretty much everyone" - Nick Kyrgios confident in returning to high level following injury hiatus

After spending close to two years on the sidelines due to injury, Australian tennis ace Nick Kyrgios believes he still has the ability to take on the best the ATP Tour has to offer.

The former Wimbledon runner-up will be competing at his home grand Slam at the 2025 Australian Open in a few days. Although Kyrgios is lacking match fitness after an 18-month injury hiatus, the Aussie star does not believe the sport has moved on without him.

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A new era of tennis has arrived, admits Kyrgios

With the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner dominating at Grand Slams, there is talk of a new regime taking over from the Big Four. Kyrgios admitted as much, but pointed out he had to get past the top players when he was rising in the sport.

"When you were out, I know you were around the tour commentating, watching what's going on, when you're out for quite a long period of time, is there a fear that the tour has moved on?" asked a reporter during a press-event in Melbourne. "Did you ever feel like that was a concern when you came back?”

"It's definitely the changing of the guard, that's for sure," replied Kyrgios. "I mean, when I was saying like Sinner or Alcaraz at that age, when I was playing some of my best tennis, I had to get through four of the greatest of all time in their prime trying to chase legacy stats. It was very hard for me.
"I'm not saying I always ran into them. But realistically, what are the chances of me winning a slam if you've got to beat all three of those guys in their prime? Virtually impossible. I definitely feel like there's a changing of the guard.
"There's such an amazing crop of young players coming in now. They're incredible talents. You look at someone like Fonseca as well, who is 17, 18 years old, playing ridiculous tennis. He's like the next, next generation. He's going to be knocking on the door pretty soon, as well.
"I definitely don't feel like the media thinks I've moved on. That seems to be the only thing they can talk about. I would love to just fly under the radar, if possible. Doesn't seem like that's going to be happening.”

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Additionally, the former World No.13 expressed his confidence in his ability to keep up with the new batch of stars on tour.

“I've beaten pretty much everyone that the sport has put in me before," said Kyrgios. "I'm always going to back my ability.People are always going to say, ‘Be realistic, you're not going to be the same.’ I unfortunately don't have that mindset. I always have utmost confidence in my ability, if I'm playing my style of tennis, my unpredictability, I have a chance against anyone. That's the mindset you need to have against the people.
"If I walked out on the court for the first time against Nadal, Djokovic, Federer, and was realistic, I probably wouldn't have won. A kid from Canberra going out there, and beating those... like, you can't be realistic. You have to think, like, ‘I think I'm the best tennis player in the world.’ Is that realistic? Probably not. But I think that when I'm out there.
"I think, yeah, if I play any of these top guys now, I have to have that mindset. Otherwise I'm going to be blown off the court. My confidence comes from my belief in my own ability.”

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