Nick Kyrgios. Nick Kyrgios.

Nick Kyrgios believes tennis has become "a bit mundane" without himvvjl, as he gears up for his grand slam return at the Australian Open. (More Tennis News)

The former Wimbledon finalist is getting set for his first major appearance since reaching the 2022 US Open quarter-finals.

Kyrgios has spent the past 18 months on the sidelines having undergone knee and wrist surgeries, while a recent abdominal strain put his participation in Melbourne in doubt.

The 29-year-old is due to face British number three Jacob Fearnley in the opening round on Monday.

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And Kyrgios feels his return to competitive tennis has come at the right time.

"I think we watch sport because we want personalities," he said. "Me being back, I think it adds a bit of question marks to what is going to happen today. I love that.

"Every time I step out on court, I don't know if I'm going to be super controversial in a good or bad way. I think it's good to be back. I think it's important. I think the sport was getting a bit mundane."

The former world number 13 is determined to shake off his abdominal injury in time to face Fearnley, but is confident he will.

"I don't think anyone really feels 100%," he added. "As long as it's not something like my wrist again, I think I can manage it."

"I really missed the semi-final because of the one-match suspension. It was such a crucial match," the 31-year-old India's defensive mainstay told PTI in an exclusive interview during the team's felicitation at the India House here on Saturday.

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— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 10, 2025