“It’s awesome to see the depth of Australian tennis. I always knew Demon [de Minaur] was going to be carrying the flag, he’s got another 10 to 12 years – I could see him playing until he’s 40,” Kyrgios said.
“Alexei, what he did in the Masters, Thanasi [Kokkinakis] is coming back from injury … I genuinely think this is the strongest time.
“To win a grand slam back in the day, that was my prime. To beat Roger, Rafa and Novak in the same tournament was unheard of.
“Now it’s more open, and I think that where Australian tennis is … we’re all capable of making a run at a grand slam.”
Kyrgios pledged to bring his renowned energy and unpredictability, emphasising that “whether it’s good or bad”, spectators thrived on the “what if” factor.
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But while the 2022 Wimbledon finalist will take on a field also boasting Grigor Dimitrov, Gael Monfils, Frances Tiafoe and Holger Rune in Brisbane, he revealed his signature serve was firing and would enable him to perform at a top level.
“I always surprise myself – sometimes I play my best tennis without playing a match,” Kyrgios said.
“There’s going to be some nerves and rustiness, and obviously being able to close out on big points, I’m assuming that stuff will take time. But the way I’m hitting it now, I’ve never hit it as good.
“I really wish I didn’t get the injuries. I could taste the grand slam, I’d found what had worked for me … winning became a culture in our team.
“As athletes, injuries come and go, [and] I think it’s made me a stronger person.”
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