Nick Kyrgios has reminded the tennis world that he has still got it as he scored a dominant straight-sets win over World No. 36 Corentin Moutet in his first singles match since January 6.<\/p>\n
After being sidelined with knee and wrist injuries, the Aussie made a huge statement in the first round of ATP Stuttgart, breezing past Moutet 6-3 6-4 in a little over an hour on Wednesday (AEST).<\/p>\n
It was a vintage Kyrgios performance as the 31-year-old frustrated his opponent with his powerful groundstrokes and big serves. <\/p>\n
Kyrgios didn\u2019t face a single break point in the match as he held serve with ease and threatened to break Moutet throughout.<\/p>\n
In typical Kyrgios fashion, he was still ever the showman with tweeners, drop shots and playing up to the crowd.<\/p>\n
Speaking after the match, Kyrgios got emotional as he declared he\u2019s thrilled to be back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI feel great and motivated,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n
\u201c(It\u2019s) quite (an) emotional moment. I had a lot of surgeries and I\u2019m very thrilled to be back.<\/p>\n
\u201cI had a wrist reconstruction, I had four knee surgeries. <\/p>\n
\u201cBut I\u2019m back mostly because of the fans. I staying for you guys\u201d.<\/p>\n
Kyrgios\u2019 return for the grass season will have many wondering if he could be given a Wimbledon wildcard ahead of the Grand Slam which kicks off at the end of this month.<\/p>\n
Back in 2022, Kyrgios made the Wimbledon final. That same year, problems with his wrist began, and he hasn\u2019t been the same since.<\/p>\n
Before Wednesday, Kyrgios had last played a singles match in Brisbane in January, and before that, he had not played since March 2025. <\/p>\n
Since October 2022, Kyrgios has played just seven singles matches and won one,<\/p>\n
However, Wednesday\u2019s match was his first on grass since the 2022 final, and he looked as comfortable as ever.<\/p>\n
The surface is ideal for Kyrgios with his serve-and-first-strike game style translating more efficiently than on slower courts. <\/p>\n
The absence of extended baseline rallies also helps his body as it allows for short points.<\/p>\n
Wimbledon organisers will undoubtedly be keeping a close eye on how Kyrgios progresses through the tournament, and if he can string another win or two together, it would be tough to see a world where they don\u2019t give the Aussie a wildcard.<\/p>\n
That is because if nothing else, his return created much fanfare and supporters are already licking their lips that Kyrgios could finally be back as good as ever after dispatching a top 50 player with consummate ease.<\/p>\n
\u201cNick Kyrgios hasn\u2019t won an ATP tour singles match since Miami \u201825 but he received a wildcard into the #BOSSOpen this week and just took out the 36th best player in the world, Corentin Moutet, in an hour and 7 minutes. Always giving us something to watch,\u201d Myles David wrote on X.<\/p>\n
\u201cI genuinely didn\u2019t think that Nick Kyrgios would look this good after his long period off the courts!\u201d prominent tennis account Pavvy G said.<\/p>\n
\u201cOne of the most sensational comebacks in Tennis today! Take a bow.\u201d<\/p>\n
\u201cThat was very, very impressive from Kyrgios. Much better than probably most expected,\u201d Jose Morgado wrote.<\/p>\n
While Reddit was abuzz, with several threads blowing up over just how good the Aussie looked.<\/p>\n
\u201cI have seen enough, Kyrgios is winning Wimbledon, to be the 4th man born in the 90s to become a slam winner,\u201d one said.<\/p>\n
\u201cDude served like an absolute menace, impressive,\u201d another added.<\/p>\n
\u201cImpressive to beat a guy in the top 50 or so after years of not playing. Curious to see how far Nick can go in a tournament,\u201d a third commented.<\/p>\n
Kyrgios will face Sho Shimabukuro in the second round on Thursday (AEST).<\/p>\n