Seven months after his final match, Nick Kyrgios will step onto the court docket in Stuttgart, aiming to get time on the grass in readiness for subsequent month’s return to Wimbledon.
Kyrgios faces Chinese Wu Yibing on Tuesday in Germany (early morning AEST) within the opening spherical of a match wherein he traces up as eighth seed.
The 28-year-old final performed within the ATP Finals doubles match alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis in November, however has not performed singles since October. He was compelled out of the Australian Open by the necessity for surgical procedure on a meniscus tear on his left knee.
“I wouldn’t say it was major surgery, but I had quite a serious surgery on my knee” mentioned Kyrgios forward of his return.
“It’s taken me about five months to get back to even playing, moving and (ready to play) against these players.
“It’s been troublesome, however at instances it has been superb simply to be house with my household.
“Tennis is a sport where you travel so much of the year and being home, for me, was important.
“But seeing everybody (else) play wasn’t straightforward, at instances.
“I’m just super excited that my knee is a bit better and I’m able to play now.”
The world No.25 had a memorable run to the ultimate of Wimbledon in 2022 and desires to realize match-sharpness for this 12 months’s match.
A two-time Stuttgart semi-finalist Kyrgios added: “The grass season for me is always the best part of the year.
“This 12 months has been actually robust for me, clearly recovering from knee surgical procedure.
“I’m coming back at a tournament [where] I’ve done really well in the past, played some amazing matches.
“I’m tremendous excited to be right here once more and to get on the market and play.”
Kyrgios’s predecessor as Wimbledon runner-up, Matteo Berrettini, is the holder in Stuttgart but his defence is already over. The World No.21 was beaten 6-1 6-2 by fellow Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
Berrettini, who is also coming back from injury, lost in 71 minutes to the 41st-ranked Sonego. Jiri Lehecka, Richard Gasquet and Lorenzo Musetti progressed with wins over Marcos Giron, Christoper Eubanks and Borna Gojo respectively.
Also playing on Tuesday is the other Australian in the tournament, Chris O’Connell, against Germany’s Daniel Altmaier. Top seeds Stefanos Tsitsipas and Taylor Fritz have first round byes.
In one other ATP 250 match, at ‘s-Hertogenbosch within the Netherlands, Jason Kubler went out 6-4 6-2 to Ugo Humbert. Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson play Tuesday. Rinky Hijikata can be within the first spherical draw whereas Alex de Minaur has a bye to the second spherical.
Source: www.perthnow.com.au
