Nick Kyrgios Secures First Singles Win in 15 Months at Stuttgart ATP Event

AI Summary

Nick Kyrgios has secured his first singles win in 15 months, defeating Corentin Moutet 6-3, 6-4 in the first round of the ATP event in Stuttgart. This victory marks a significant milestone in Kyrgios' comeback to professional tennis after a series of injuries and doubts about his continued participation in the sport.

Kyrgios' Comeback Victory

Nick Kyrgios has kickstarted his latest comeback with a straight-sets win over world No 36 Corentin Moutet in the first round of the ATP event in Stuttgart.

Details of the Match

The Australian, once ranked No 13 in the world, had not played a singles match since appearing at the Brisbane International in January, when he lost in 66 minutes to world No 58 Aleksandar Kovacevic. Having missed the entire 2024 season, he has won just one singles match since October 2022.

Significance of the Win

At the Wimbledon warm-up event in Germany on Tuesday, 31-year-old Kyrgios wound back the clock with powerful serves and a smattering of showmanship, with drop shots and tweeners helping to take down Frenchman Moutet 6-3, 6-4 in a match that lasted less than an hour.

Kyrgios' Post-Match Reaction

Kyrgios said post-match that he was delighted to be back on court after having doubted his continued participation in top-level tennis. “I had a wrist reconstruction, I’ve had four knee surgeries, so I’m really battling, but at the same time I’ve put in a lot of work, I’m really feeling good about myself,” he said.

What's Next for Kyrgios

He will next play Japan’s Sho Shimabukuro, ranked 101, on Thursday, after a doubles match with partner Alexander Bublik on Wednesday. A good showing on the grass in Stuttgart could put him in the frame for a wildcard in London.