Nick Kyrgios hasn’t exactly made a triumphant return to tennis this month…

After a long injury lay off, Kyrgios returned to the ATP Tour at the Brisbane International.

Kyrgios lost to Aleksandar Kovacevic in straight sets, 3-6, 4-6.

Shortly after, he announced his withdrawal from the Australian Open singles tournament.

He did, however, choose to participate in the ‘Red Bull Bassline’ exhibition event.

Unfortunately for Kyrgios, that didn’t go to plan either.

Nick Kyrgios says he is ‘washed up’ after losing to Jordan Thompson and Arthur Rinderknech

The Red Bull Bassline tournament featured Kyrgios, Jordan Thompson, Arthur Rinderknech, Flavio Cobolli, Matteo Berrettini, and Nicolai Budkov Kjaer.

Players were split into two groups, the ‘Red Group’, and the ‘Blue Group’.

Kyrgios was joined by Thompson and Rinderknech in the ‘Red Group’.

In a battle of the Aussies, Kyrgios lost to Thompson, 3-5, 2-5, in the opening match.

Then, Kyrgios was beaten by Rinderknech, 4-5, 3-5, as he exited the competition without a win.

After the match, Rinderknech gave his verdict on Kyrgios.

“It’s always tough to play against him, no rhythm, coming up with the underarm serve!” he said.

“I’ve got to play solid throughout the end of the sets, I was trying my best.”

Kyrgios then weighed in with his thoughts.

“Man, it’s tough. Arthur [Rinderknech] has had an outstanding last couple of years on tour, and he’s one of the hottest players right now,” he said.

“I mean, I’m washed up, I don’t know what to say.

“I left the Red Bull event with no win!”

It was Norway’s Budkov Kjaer that won the event, beating Thompson in the final.

But what’s next for Kyrgios, as he continues to struggle?

Nick Kyrgios will play doubles at the 2026 Australian Open

Kyrgios won’t play singles at the Australian Open, but still plans to compete in the doubles competition alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis.

It was, however, unclear whether they would actually take to the court, after Kokkinakis withdrew from the Adelaide International, still struggling with injury.

Reassuring fans, Kokkinakis shared the following message on social media.

“Unfortunately, after speaking with my team and doctors, I have made the decision to pull out of the Australian Open singles,” he said.

“After an incredibly tough year, this was the event I was looking forward to the most, but I’m not ready yet.

“We will still give doubles a go.”

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis tried to play doubles together at the 2025 Australian Open, but the pair retired from their first-round match during the second set.

They are, of course, former champions at the event, winning the Australian Open doubles title in 2022.

It seems unlikely that they will repeat the feat in 2026, but it will certainly be worth tuning in for.

The 2026 Australian Open is scheduled to begin on Sunday, January 18.