Nick Kyrgios has been in his first match since March, and only sixth this year, completed nearly an hour in court with the defeat of a man at the DC Open of ATP Tour.
The collaboration of French veteran Gael Monfils, and playing in front of NBA star Kevin Durant, Kyrgios had a tough opening against third bones Edouard Roger-Vasselin and Hugo Nys.
Monfils broke into the opening game and while Kyrgios held his first service match both players were broken to lose the first set 6-2.
The second is the same. The Monfils were broken early and Kyrgios was late as they lowered it to 6-2.
Kyrgios grabbed his knee throughout the match and saw the limping towards the end as he continued his preparation for a Grand Slam returning to the US Open.
“The cooked knees but the fans still hugged us,” he later posted on Instagram.
However, just being in court is something that has been achieved for the 30-year-old Australia who has been dogged by injury since the Wimbledon Final reached 2022.
Kyrgios last played Double at the Australian Open in January, retiring in the second set of his opening match with himself and Thananasi Kokkadakis 7-5 3-2 to fellow Aussies James Duckworth and Aleksarand Vukic.
Former World No 13 followed playing three matches of uniform, retiring when 7-6 (8-6) 3-0 down the first cycle in Indian Wells in March. The pulse he had in September 2023 was still an issue.
However, he reached the second turn to Miami Open later in the month, defeated McKenzie McDonald for his first win of the one who was united since 2022. During the second turn he defeated Karen Khachanov and this outing in the US capital of the US was his first match from the moment, because the injuries continued to be an issue.
Kyrgios has a current ATP ranking of 640, but has activated its protected ranks of 21 to include the official entry list for the US Open.
Australia will focus on the doubles of the final Grand Slam Tournament of the Year in New York as she continues to suffer from long -term injuries.
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“I wanted to play with no partner, but six weeks ago I had a niggle with my knee,” Kyrgios said. “So it will only take a little time.”
Earlier in a fast Washington, Chris O’Connell dropped 6-3 6-2 in American Ethan Quinn, ranked five areas less than World No 82, while later, Vukic takes on the large service of Frenchman Giovanni Mpetsshi Perricard.
Alex de Minaur and Alexei Popyrin were also in the event of ATP 500 but received first-round byes.
Maya joint’s first match at the DC Open ended in frustration as she defeated Leylah Fernandez 6-3 6-3 an hour 20 minutes.
Australia’s teenage sensation is still going to flush the meadows in the middle of expectations after a wonderful first half of the season -and the knowledge that last year he went to qualify and reached a second cycle in New York.
