Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has long been talked about as a player who would bring next-level excitement and global recognition to pickleball.

That might actually be happening in 2025.

On the latest episode of the Nothing Major Podcast — hosted by retired American tennis stars Sam Querrey, John Isner, Steve Johnson and Jack Sock — Kyrgios said he would team up in men’s doubles with Sock at the PPA Tour Australia Pickleball Open early next year.

 

 

The tournament, which will be held in Melbourne on Jan. 28-Feb. 2, is the PPA Tour’s first stop overseas as the sport continues to grow internationally.

We have known for months that Kyrgios is into pickleball, with clips like this circulating online: 

 

Kyrgios is also an investor in Major League Pickleball’s Miami Pickleball Club.

Could the tournament in Australia be the first step toward Kyrgios taking the sport more seriously in 2025?

Perhaps, but he’s still expected to compete on the pro tennis circuit for at least a few more tournaments.

His next will be the Brisbane International, which starts Dec. 29, followed by the Australian Open, beginning Jan. 12.