Nick Kyrgios has confirmed that he will return to Australian tennis at the 2026 Brisbane International.
The star has not played competitive tennis since the American hardcourt swing, but Kyrgios will return to tennis for the Battle of the Sexes.
After Kyrgios’ controversial match with Aryna Sabalenka in Dubai, the Australian will return home to play the Brisbane International, a tournament he previously won in 2018.
The last time Kyrgios played competitive tennis in his home nation, he lobbied for a major change to the Australian Open.
Nick Kyrgios wanted an Australian Open stadium named after him
Speaking to the Australian Open in 2024, Kyrgios shared his love for the John Cain Arena at the Australian Grand Slam.
“The court just feels amazing, I think I just love the dimensions of it. Even though every single court’s got the same dimensions, it’s just the backdrop and everything about it. I like how the crowd’s really close.”
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The star believed that his affinity with the court was so strong that it should actually be named after him.
“I really want to put a petition in, when I’m done, to call it the Kyrgios Court, instead of John Cain Arena,” he said.
“I genuinely think if we called it the Kyrgios Court it’d be a lot cooler, and we’d create a bit more buzz: ‘Oh you played on the Kyrgios Court?’
“Because then it’s, like, known for being a bit of a chaotic, zoo-like atmosphere, I think, and then people will think about some of the best times I had on it.”
Nick Kyrgios’ record on the John Cain Arena
It’s no surprise that Kyrgios loves the John Cain Arena so much, as he has a super record in the Australian stadium.
He holds a 12-3 record for matches on the John Cain Arena, having won six of his first seven matches at the Grand Slam.
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The only players to beat Kyrgios at the John Cain Arena are Andreas Seppi, Milos Raonic, and Dominic Thiem.
Kyrgios has beaten some heavy hitters on the court, including Gilles Simon, Ugo Humbert, and Pablo Carreno Busta.
The star is not yet confirmed for the Australian Open, where he will need to receive a wild card to play, but he will no doubt want to play on the John Cain Arena.
