Nick Kyrgios has hailed the ‘X factor’ of rising British tennis star Jacob Fearnley ahead of their first-round showdown at the Australian Open. Fearnley, 23, is set to feature in his second Grand Slam main draw having impressively pushed Novak Djokovic to four sets at Wimbledon last year.

Nick Kyrgios says he is good for tennis and the sport will get a boost from his return to Grand Slam action at the Australian Open.

The Aussie will play only his second singles match in 18 months against British No.3 Jacob Fearnley in the Melbourne first round. Kygrios claimed earlier this week that this could be his final Australian Open after suffering career-threatening wrist and knee injuries.

Returning Nick Kyrgios says tennis has become ‘mundane’ ahead of Australian Open - The 29-year-old is set to play in his home grand slam for the first time in three years.

Nick Kyrgios faces another injury setback in his planned return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open after an abdominal strain forced him to withdraw from an exhibition with Novak Djokovic this week.

Nick Kyrgios says he didn't know that Novak Djokovic was allegedly poisoned in Australia three years ago but the 29-year-old backed the Serb's claims by stating that Australia treated him in a very bad way.

Mats Wilander believes Nick Kyrgios has the capability of causing a 'big upset' in the Australian Open, but has raised concerns about the Aussie star's fitness. Kyrgios' first-round match against Jacob Fearnley next week will be his first match in a major tournament in over two years.