WASHINGTON — Nick Kyrgios' much-anticipated return to competitive tennis after a 122-day injury layoff ended in disappointment as the Australian was eliminated in just 58 minutes by American Marcos Giron at the Citi Open in Washington.
The 28-year-old, playing his first match since October 2022 due to knee surgery and subsequent wrist issues, showed flashes of his trademark shotmaking but struggled with consistency in a 6-4, 6-3 defeat. Kyrgios, who reached the 2022 Wimbledon final, committed 25 unforced errors against the world No. 63, later admitting, "I knew it was going to be tough coming back, but I didn't expect to feel this rusty."
A Frustrating Comeback
Kyrgios' serve—normally his biggest weapon—faltered throughout the match. He landed just 54% of first serves and was broken three times by Giron, who capitalized on the Australian's lack of match sharpness. The 2022 Washington champion managed only six aces, a stark contrast to his usual dominant serving performances.
Key moments that defined the match:
- Kyrgios double-faulted on break point at 4-4 in the first set
- Giron won 83% of points on Kyrgios' second serve
- The Australian failed to convert any of his three break-point opportunities
Physical Struggles Evident
Despite declaring himself fit before the tournament, Kyrgios appeared to labor at times, particularly when stretched wide. He received treatment on his left knee after the first set but later downplayed concerns, stating, "It's just stiffness. I've been out for seven months—it's part of the process."
Tennis analysts noted several worrying signs:
- Reduced lateral movement compared to his pre-injury level
- Limited explosive power on serve returns
- Visible frustration after missed shots, including two smashed rackets
Giron's Clinical Performance
The 30-year-old American played a disciplined match, committing just eight unforced errors while maintaining consistent depth on his groundstrokes. "I knew Nick would have some incredible shots, so I focused on making him play one more ball," Giron said post-match.
Statistically, Giron dominated in several key areas:
- Won 72% of net approaches (13/18)
- Converted 3/4 break points
- Limited Kyrgios to just 12 winners
Kyrgios' Road Ahead
The former world No. 13 faces a race against time to regain form before the US Open, where he was a quarterfinalist in 2022. His protected ranking of No. 33 will help with tournament entries, but Kyrgios admitted, "I need matches, and right now, I'm not sure where I'll get them. My body needs to hold up first."
Potential upcoming tournaments for Kyrgios:
- Canadian Open (August 7-13) - Unlikely due to fitness concerns
- Cincinnati Masters (August 13-20) - Possible wildcard candidate
- Winston-Salem Open (August 20-26) - More realistic preparation event
Reactions from the Tennis World
Former player and ESPN analyst Brad Gilbert noted, "Nick's game is all about rhythm and confidence. After this long out, it's like starting from zero. The question is whether he has the patience to grind through these early losses."
Tournament director Mark Ein remained supportive: "We believed in giving Nick this opportunity. He's been a great champion here, and we know what he's capable of when fully fit."
Kyrgios' coach, former pro Thanasi Kokkinakis, struck a cautiously optimistic tone: "The most important thing today was Nick getting through pain-free. The results will come with more court time."
Conclusion: A Long Road Back
While the 58-minute defeat marked a disappointing return, Kyrgios' team emphasized this was just the first step in his comeback. The mercurial Australian, known for his unpredictable career trajectory, now faces one of his greatest challenges—regaining elite form after the longest absence of his career.
As Kyrgios himself put it bluntly in his post-match press conference: "This sucks, but I've come back from worse. Either my body holds up and I return to my level, or it doesn't. We'll find out soon enough."