The Australian tennis star has been making headlines far more off the court than on it
Abbie Meehan Sports Writer U-35s
14:00, 28 Dec 2025
Nick Kyrgios enjoyed yet another rollercoaster year(Image: Jean Catuffe/GC Images)
Nick Kyrgios endured another chaotic year both on and off the court as wrist reconstruction surgery continues to jeopardise his playing career. The Australian has spent the majority of the past two years attempting to bounce back from the complex procedure.
He’s wrapping up his 2025 campaign amid fresh drama as he prepares to face women’s world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in a Battle of the Sexes showdown – which has sparked fierce backlash.
Kyrgios managed just five ATP tournaments this season due to his ongoing injury woes, though he did secure his first victory back against Mackenzie McDonald at the Miami Open. This marked Kyrgios’ first tour triumph in 896 days and his sole win of the entire campaign.
Whilst his court appearances were limited, he still managed to generate countless headlines away from the action.
The 30-year-old alleged he was turned away from Wimbledon this year after ignoring security measures by failing to carry proper identification. All visitors to the All England Club must present ID when collecting their passes for ground access.
Speaking on talkSPORT about the incident that saw him stopped and searched, Kyrgios said: “Look, I’m not normally one to say: ‘Do you know who I am?’ when I’m trying to get into events.
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“But today, my agent was like okay, let’s try and pick up your credentials just to save someone a ground pass and I was sitting there and she asked: ‘Do you have a photo ID?’
“I had just got a new phone, because it was broken, I didn’t have any photos… and she laughed before she asked me, so she clearly knew who I was but was just following protocol. I said, ‘Do you reckon you could get me in and give me my credentials just one time?’ and she was like: ‘No.’ I went: ‘Seriously? Please,’ but they said they can’t do that.”
He added: “Then I got body searched. They told me to put all of my stuff down and I got body searched.”
The Australian continued to stir controversy at the prestigious tournament by calling for an end to the all-white dress code, a tradition dating back to the 1880s. During his 2022 final run, Kyrgios flouted this rule by donning red hat and shoes on Centre Court, although he switched them out before the match started.
Kyrgios split with his longtime girlfriend in 2025(Image: Julian Finney/Getty Images)
In a chat with talkSPORT, he said: “I think it’d be cool to mix it up. I think everyone should wear all black. I think it would contrast the grass well and the white lines.
“I think that would be. It’d be a good change. I think one year they should just do it. It would look super clean on the court and on TV. It would look amazing.”
Kyrgios was also spotted in Naomi Osaka’s private box during her first-round match at the All England Club. This public show of support for the Japanese player came shortly after the former world No. 13 announced his break-up from long-term girlfriend, Costeen Hatzi.
The star took to social media to confirm the split, stating his intention to keep the matter “private” out of respect. He added: “Things happen. I wish her nothing but the best. So many incredible memories that will stay with me.”
This rare glimpse into the softer side of Kyrgios is a stark contrast to his usual fiery persona, particularly when it comes to his rivalry with Rafael Nadal – a player he openly ‘despised.’
Kyrgios has never been a fan of Nadal(Image: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)
Kyrgios made his name as a teenage wildcard by defeating Nadal at Wimbledon over a decade ago. He admitted to being “weirdly emotional” following Nadal’s retirement in 2024, despite never being a fan of the tennis legend throughout his career.
Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast, Kyrgios said: “Couldn’t stand him. I used to hate and despise him so much when I saw him walking around.”
“He was probably one guy that always motivated me. I was like, if I played him, I’d try and get up for it. I’d try and get the best tennis I could possibly play. But I didn’t feel that anger towards Federer or Novak when I played them.”
Explaining his animosity towards Nadal, he added: “When I played Rafa, I don’t know. I guess because everyone in my academies back home idolised him.
“They were like, ‘He’s such a hard worker. He’s this, he’s that.’ And I was like, ‘I can’t stand this guy. I can’t stand him.’ I wanted to show people that you could just be chilled and have fun and beat someone like that.”
