MIAMI GARDENS, Florida (AP) — In a stunning return to form, Nick Kyrgios registered his first victory in nearly two and a half years at the Miami Open on March 19, 2025, defeating Mackie McDonald in a tightly contested match that ended 3-6, 6-3, 6-4. Wearing a thick wrap of beige tape around his surgically repaired right wrist, he fought through the pain, having taken five painkillers before the match.
Reflecting on his journey back to the court, Kyrgios stated, "I’m not going to lie: I was pretty close to crying on court. I just think about the last two years, and it’s been pretty brutal, to be honest." The 30-year-old Australian, who was the runner-up at Wimbledon in 2022, spent 12 weeks in a cast for his wrist and faced dire predictions from doctors about the possibility of returning to professional play.
Kyrgios had not won an official contest since October 2022 when he triumphed over Kamil Majchrzak in Tokyo. Since that time, he underwent operations for a torn ligament in his wrist and issues with his knee, sidelining him for nearly all of 2023 and the entirety of 2024. Entering the Miami Open, Kyrgios held a career-low ATP ranking of No. 892, down from a high of No. 13.
“Playing’s one thing, but winning matches and executing is another thing,” Kyrgios explained, hinting at the challenges of reestablishing himself in the sport. In Wednesday's win, he showcased his skills with a powerful display, delivering 13 aces against McDonald. The match was a significant milestone for Kyrgios: "I used to actually win a fair bit, so this kind of feels normal, but I don’t think it’s really sunk in that I was in a place where I couldn’t hit a fluffy tennis ball to now beating a solid player. It’s pretty surreal."
Looking ahead, Kyrgios is set to face No. 22 seed Karen Khachanov, a two-time Grand Slam semifinalist. The pair have met three times in the past, with Kyrgios winning their initial duel at the 2020 Australian Open and Khachanov taking the victory at the 2022 U.S. Open. Kyrgios remarked, "If I make the start line, I’ll give him what I’ve got. But I can’t say it’ll be what it used to be between us two." Their upcoming match adds to the anticipation surrounding the subsequent rounds of the tournament.
The Miami Open has seen other thrilling results as well. On March 20, Matteo Arnaldi, Alejandro Davidovich Fokina, and Lorenzo Sonego each advanced to the second round on the same day, enhancing the competitive atmosphere of the event.
Arnaldi, currently ranked 35th in the world, faced a formidable challenge against Yibing Wu, ranked 421st. After a grueling match filled with tension, Arnaldi emerged victorious with scores of 7-6(3), 4-6, and 6-3. He is set to meet Tomas Machac in the next round.
Davidovich Fokina, seated at 39th, defeated Jan-Lennard Struff (49th) with a solid performance, finishing the match in straight sets at 7-6(3) and 6-3. He will be facing Frances Tiafoe in what promises to be an exciting rematch.
Sonego, ranked 38th, encountered Mariano Navone (62nd) in a tightly contested battle, eventually clinching the win with a score of 7-5, 7-5. His next challenge will be against the formidable Taylor Fritz, the tournament’s third seed.
As the Miami Open unfolds, the spotlight remains on Kyrgios, who with every match aims to reclaim his position in tennis after overcoming significant obstacles. Despite the challenges, his determination and resilience stand firm, reflecting the competitive spirit of the sport. With this year’s Miami Open shaping up to be filled with unexpected results and thrilling matchups, tennis enthusiasts are eagerly awaiting what happens next.
