Brisbane event a ‘showcase’ for Krygios

The Brisbane International looms as a “great showcase” for returning star Nick Kyrgios to prove he can recapture the form that earnt him a spot in the 2022 Wimbledon final.

Kyrgios, 29, has only played one tour match in more than two years due to injury problems.

He will make his long-awaited comeback in the December 29-January 5 Brisbane International at the Queensland Tennis Centre, with a protected world ranking of 21 having secured him a spot in a strong field that includes Novak Djokovic, Grigor Dimitrov, Holger Rune and Frances Taifoe.

Kyrgios won the tournament in 2018, beating American Ryan Harrison 6-4, 6-2 in a final played on Pat Rafter Arena.

Rafter on Wednesday said he was unsure how Kyrgios would fare after such a lengthy period out.

“Your guess is as good as mine,” the Australian tennis great said.

“We’ll have to wait and see. (More than) 18 months is a long time out of the game.

“Talent-wise we all know his talent, but he is getting older and it’s hard to keep playing when you get older, so I think this is going to be a great showcase of what Nick’s got.”

Earlier this month, Kyrgios said he was feeling the best he had in “two years”.

“It has been a long journey of recovery to be where I am today,” he said.

“One of the goals I had set was to be able to play during the Aussie summer, so I am excited that I get to start in Brisbane which is one of my favourite tournaments.”

Twenty-two of the Brisbane International’s 32-strong men’s field has been confirmed.

The other 10 spots will be reserved for a “late entry”, three wildcards and six qualifiers.

Kyrgios is one of the three Australians already in the field, with the other two being Alexei Popyrin and Jordan Thompson.