Sawt Falasteen - Kyrgios to play Kooyong Classic in Australian Open sign

The mercurial Australian has not played on the ATP Tour since March and barely at all in three years after a series of career-threatening knee and wrist surgeries.

But the 30-year-old showman has added the three-day Kooyong Classic in Melbourne on January 13-15 to his schedule, a traditional hardcourt warm-up event for the Australian Open starting three days later.

World No.8 Lorenzo Musetti, the 11th-ranked Alexander Bublik and newly crowned Italian Davis Cup heroes Flavio Cobolli and Matteo Berrettini will also play.

Kyrgios has several other exhibition events lined up beforehand, including the 2025 World Tennis League in India in December and a hyped "Battle of the Sexes" showdown in Dubai against women's world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka.

Earlier this month, former Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios told reporters his long-term knee injury had suddenly improved, sparking hopes of a "miracle" comeback.

"It's not swelling. It's not feeling bad after a session," he said.

"I don't know whether to call it a miracle or anything, but my knee feels like it's gotten younger by a couple of years."

Kyrgios, who has slid to 666 in the world, would need a wildcard to play the Australian Open, but would almost certainly get one given his huge draw power.

U.AlSharif--SF-PST