Kyrgios: I Thought I Was Unbeatable…Don’t Have That Belief Anymore
By Richard Pagliaro | Wednesday, January 7, 2026
Photo credit: Brisbane International Facebook
Top-level tennis can require an internal mind game.
Three years ago, Nick Kyrgios recalls being propelled by a powerful “delusion.”
“I generally thought I was the best player in the world,” Kyrgios said.
Two knee surgeries and wrist reconstruction derailed 2022 Wimbledon finalist Kyrgios’ career.
These days, Kyrgios confesses he’s confronted a “sad” reality check: His glory days are likely in the past though he plans on with a purpose.
MORE: Kokkinakis Makes Emotional Return Armed with Dead Man’s Body Part
The Special Ks—Kyrgios and partner Thanasi Kokkinakis—are both launching comebacks four years after they partnered to win the Australian Open doubles. The pair won their first doubles match against the experienced team of Matthew Ebden and Rajeev Ram in Brisbane before bowing in three sets to the French team of Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul on Wednesday.
Krygios said his current comeback comes with a massive mental shift as he no longer has the same sense of omnipotent self belief.
“There was a point in my life in 2022 or when I was, you know, winning like multiple titles in a year, there was an ultimate, there was actually, like, a delusion I generally thought I was the best player in the world,” Kyrgios told the media in Brisbane. “I think people confuse it, when you’re at the top of the sport, I genuinely thought I was unbeatable. I’d go out on court, and I thought no one can genuinely beat me.
“You actually have that confidence and delusion that you are that person. I just don’t think that after you have these surgeries or I guess they kind of pull you down, and it’s like you don’t have that belief anymore.
“It’s sad, in a way, but that’s just the reality. Like finals of Wimbledon, quarterfinals at US Open, I barely lost a match all year, and then you have I guess these surgeries that — I guess the people out there, they think that, you know, you just go under the knife and come back and it’s just, you sit on the couch until he recovers and you throw him back out there and he’s the same player. That’s just not how it is. It’s not reality. It’s just sport.”
The 30-year-old Kyrgios was active on the exhibition circuit last month, including his win over world No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka in the Battle of the Sexes clash in Dubai.
A candid Kyrgios conceded money is a major motivation to continue competing.
“Yeah, like we say that money is not, I mean, not everything and it’s not a motivation, but from where I started with in my life and my tennis career, it’s a lot of my motivation,” Kyrgios said. “My parents were not wealthy growing up at all. It is a big motivation of mine to continue to be around and make as much money as possible.
“I don’t think there is shame in saying that either. But I think more, I had a great month. If I look at the month I have had, yeah, they weren’t official tournaments, but to prove to myself that I was able to still go out there and light up crowds and give people a show and play and compete and win doubles matches, like me and Thanasi beat a great pair.
“Ebden and Ram are probably one of the best pairs in this event. We’re still able to produce. Whether or not it’s going to be on the biggest of biggest stages, I don’t know. That’s a question mark, and realistically, it’s probably not going to happen. But yeah, I think I’m still able to do something on a tennis court.”
The question is: Can Kyrgios stay healthy enough to play singles and doubles or would he be able to accept life as a doubles specialist on Tour?
Certainly, if Kyrgios can stay healthy he can be a major force in doubles. The owner of four career singles titles, including the 2018 Brisbane championship, Kyrgios is hopeful of receiving an Australian Open wild card and says he’s grateful he can still compete in front of home fans.
“I think every time I play, the crowds are pretty packed. You know, I’m doing the best I can out here, and I just want to go out there and try and give them a shot,” Kyrgios said. “I mean, I’m losing, and I see my little nephew in the crowd, I realize, I’m trying to do the best I can.
“Whether or not I’m giving them Grand Slam finals, probably not, but yeah. I’m doing the best I can right now.”
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