Nick Kyrgios has won his first professional tennis match in two and a half years.
The polarising Aussie talent defeated American Mackenzie McDonald in three sets at the Miami Open on Thursday morning.
Kyrgios, 29, lost the opening nine points of the match and after being broken in his first service game, looked to his box and complained.
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One commentator noted he “doesn’t look happy”.
It looked like being another short stay for the 2022 Wimbledon finalist, but he won the second and third sets to triumph 3-6, 6-3, 6-4.
Nick Kyrgios reacts against Mackenzie McDonald at the Miami Open. AP
It is his first victory since October 2022.
Since then he suffered four defeats – one when retiring hurt – and given another opponent a walkover.
He has battled serious injuries since his biggest success, which came at Wimbledon three years ago when he lost the final to Novak Djokovic in four sets.
At the start of this year he won one set at the Brisbane International in what was his comeback from a long-term wrist issue.
He then made it to the Australian Open despite concerns over a side strain, and lost in straight sets to Jacob Fearnley.
At Indian Wells earlier this month he was forced to retire hurt in his first match of the tournament, and many wondered whether he could still be competitive on the ATP Tour.
When he won match point against McDonald on Thursday the relief on his face was clear.
“The wait is over,” the commentator said.
“That has been a long time coming, that will taste so so sweet.
“After all the dark days, the hard work, the rehab… and he played some good stuff along the way too.”
The Aussie spoke post-match and confirmed how “special” the victory was.
“The way my wrist has pulled up the last six months hasn’t been great,” Kyrgios said.
“I guess having one win against Mac, I had something to draw from experience, but he’s such a good player, he’s so tricky and he definitely caught me off guard.
“I walked on the court and I wasn’t used to that ball speed again.
“It’s been a long journey, even to get to the start line of matches and being unable to finish them. But to come and get a win and feel like I belong again, it’s pretty special.
Nick Kyrgios speaks after his win in Miami. Bein Sports
“I thought I would never play tennis again, to be brutally honest, and it was going that way.
“I’ve had conversations with my camp, my team, guys who are leaving their families to come here and help me get to the court… I was like ‘look, I don’t know how long I can keep doing this for’.
“This puts a bit more petrol in the tank, but I need to be realistic, I’ll see how my wrist pulls up tomorrow.”
Kyrgios will face powerful Russian player Karen Khachanov next.
