A philosophical Nick Kyrgios said Saturday he had been a “chaotic mess” throughout his career and now just wants to enjoy himself when he returns to the tour this week. The temperamental 2022 Wimbledon finalist, one of tennis’s most dynamic players when at the top of his game, makes his comeback at the season-opening Brisbane International.

The 30-year-old Australian has slipped to 671 in the world after an injury-ravaged three years which saw him play only six singles matches on the ATP Tour. Speaking ahead of his opening-round match, Kyrgios said he was feeling fit and had been playing as well as ever in the build-up. 

“I think after every injury I have had the last couple of years, and to see how quickly something can be snatched away from you, I have a day-by-day mindset,” the former world number 13 said.  “I don’t know if I’m a player that needs to prove himself any more than he has. I just want to get through this and be happy with my performance.

“Ultimately I just want to go out there and put on a show for the crowd and for the fans and the people, to be honest. “I have no agenda and I don’t care what my ranking is, don’t care what titles I win. I just want to go out there and give the people a good show.

“That’s ultimately I guess what I’ll go down as, as an entertainer and someone who just was a bit of a chaotic mess, but an entertainer at the end of the day.”  Kyrgios, who was granted a wildcard to play in Brisbane, begins his tour comeback against US world number 60 Aleksandar Kovacevic.

Although he has featured only very sporadically on the ATP Tour in recent years, Kyrgios beat women’s world number one Aryna Sabalenka last week in a “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match in Dubai. Kyrgios could yet be offered a wildcard to play singles at the Australian Open this month.

“Considering how much travel I have had the last month and how much tennis I have played, this is as good as I could feel,” he added. “I think a lot of stress has kind of gone from my life and I feel a lot better.  “I guess my goal is to leave Brisbane with a sense of: that was a fun week, you gave everything you had and whether you came up short or not, you gave a good show to the people. 

“I’m just really looking forward to going out there and competing at the highest level again. It’s all a blessing at this point.” 

World number one Aryna Sabalenka said Saturday she isn’t out for revenge after losing her Australian Open crown in a shock loss to American Madison Keys last year. Sabalenka went into the final at Melbourne Park aiming to become the first woman since Martina Hingis to win three consecutive Australian Opens.

But she was undone by Keys, who won her maiden Slam in an inspired performance on Rod Laver Arena. The Belarusian said there was no difference coming to Australia as the champion or as the runner-up. “It doesn’t matter which tournament it is,” she said ahead of a warm-up event in Brisbane.

“If I’m defending champion, if I lost in the first round last year, the goal is always the same — to bring my best tennis and to improve my game. “Honestly, that’s it. I always just focus on myself, on developing my game, and making sure that I’m 100 percent there.”

Sabalenka had an unusual lead-in to the Australian Open starting this month, playing Nick Kyrgios in a much-criticised “Battle of the Sexes” in Dubai. But she said she was glad to be back in Australia, where she enjoys the conditions and has had great success.

“I definitely don’t like the heat, but the people, yeah,” she said. “I think the atmosphere — it’s always a full crowd (in Brisbane). “Everyone really engages a lot with tennis. Also in Melbourne, the support there is incredible.

“I’m always super motivated when I come to Australia,” she said, asked if last year’s defeat to Keys was added incentive this time. “Of course remembering last year’s final, I really want to do just a little bit better than I did last year,” she added with a smile. Sabalenka said she always chose to open her season in Brisbane because she was guaranteed testing matches.

This year’s draw features seven of the world’s top 10. “It’s a tough draw, a lot of great players,” she said. “It’s a lot of matches before hitting the Australian Open.” Sabalenka has a first-round bye and will play either Spain’s Cristina Bucsa or a qualifier in the second round.

Seven-time major singles champion Venus Williams said Sunday she’s still driven to play good tennis – and “it gives you great legs” – as she prepares for an Australian Open tilt at age 45. Williams will become the oldest woman to play in the main draw at the season-opening Grand Slam after accepting a wildcard, five years after she last competed in Melbourne.

The American said she was unaware of the record she was poised to break, adding she didn’t have the same intense approach to achieving milestones as in her prime. However, her drive to succeed on court remained.

“I think one of my goals is to be joyful and just embrace being uncomfortable because that’s the things champions can do,” she said. “I definitely don’t wake up and come halfway across the world — or more than halfway — to not be feeling the fire. “And, well, tennis burns a lot of calories. It gives you great legs. I figure if I want to stay fit, I’ve got to keep playing.”

A five-time Wimbledon champion, Williams was an Australian Open singles finalist in 2003 and 2017 and won the doubles title four times alongside sister Serena. Williams’ last tournament was the US Open in August, not long after returning from a 16-month break. She will play warmup events in Auckland next week and Hobart ahead of the January 18-February 1 Australian Open and hoped she can shake rust out of her system.

“It’s interesting because I have so much experience, but I’ve probably played the least amount as any other player in this draw,” Williams told reporters in Auckland. “So I have a lot to pull out but I also have to come out of the gates playing quickly. “The good news is that, you know, tennis matches are long and you have a chance to figure things out.”

Her first opponent in Auckland on Monday will be Polish fifth seed and world No.54 Magda Linette.

Novak Djokovic announced on Sunday he was leaving the professional players’ union he co-founded in 2020, citing “concerns regarding transparency and governance” within the body.

The Professional Tennis Players Association (PTPA), founded by the current world No. 4 and Canadian Vasek Pospisil, took legal action in March 2025 against tennis governing bodies, denouncing “anti-competitive restraints and abusive practices”.

The action also highlighted the “unsustainable schedule” for players, with tournaments scheduled 11 months out of 12 by both the men’s ATP¨and women’s WTA.

“After careful consideration, I have decided to step away completely from the Professional Tennis Players Association”, Djokovic posted on social media.

“This decision comes after ongoing concerns regarding transparency, governance, and the way my voice and image have been represented.

“I am proud of the vision that Vasek and I shared when founding the PTPA, giving players a stronger, independent voice – but it has become clear that my values and approach are no longer aligned with the current direction of the organization.”

The 38-year-old 24-time Grand Slam winner said he will “continue to focus on my tennis, my family, and contributing to the sport in ways that reflect my principles and integrity”.

Djokovic is aiming for a record-breaking 25th major title at the upcoming Australian Open and will next take part in the ATP event in Adelaide from January 12-17 as part of his preparations for the start of the new season.