Kyrgios defeat hits Open wild card hopes

NICK Kyrgios lost in straight sets on his latest singles comeback at the Brisbane International, dealing a blow to his hopes of an Australian Open wild card.

- BY ELEANOR CROOKS

Nick Kyrgios of Australia plays a forehand in his first round Men's Singles match against Aleksandar Kovacevic of the United States at the 2026 Brisbane International in the Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia.

(Chloe Davis/Getty Images)

The 30-year-old has played just six official singles matches in the last three years following surgeries on his wrist and knee, and his clash with American Aleksandar Kovacevic was his first since March.

Kyrgios has been a prominent figure on the exhibition circuit over the last month, not least with his victory over Aryna Sabalenka in their Battle of the Sexes clash in Dubai, but he could not replicate that on home soil, losing out 6-3 6-4.

Kyrgios admitted his physical struggles had dented his confidence, telling a press conference: “I thought I was the best player in the world.