Nick Kyrgios will make his ATP Tour return on Tuesday as he attempts to join a bevy of Australian male winners in the lead-up to the Australian Open.

The Canberran chose not to play during last year’s pandemic, with Tuesday’s Melbourne Summer Series first-round match against Alexandre Muller his first competitive fixture since February last year.

His ranking has sunk to 47, meaning he missed selection in Australia’s ATP Cup side, headed instead by Alex de Minaur and John Millman in singles and due to face Spain on Tuesday night.

But Kyrgios has arrived feeling “mentally completely refreshed and ready to go again” while Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt has been impressed by what he’s seen in training from the 25-year-old this week.

Jordan Thompson and Alexei Popyrin will also play their first matches ahead of the Australian Open from February 8, while compatriot John-Patrick Smith meets Tennys Sandgren, the American who earnt the ire of many for his antics while in hotel quarantine last month.

They’ll look to follow the lead of six Australian male victors on Monday, with Chris O’Connell, Jason Kubler, Max Purcell, Aleksandar Vukic, Harry Bourchier and Alex Bolt all through to the second round of either the Murray River Open or Great Ocean Road Open.

“Yeah, we’ve had some very good wins; it’s good, the boys are playing well heading into the Aussie Open,” Bolt said.

Bolt beat good mate Thanasi Kokkinakis on Monday, the pair more than familiar with each other’s games after training together extensively over the past six months.

“I was like, of course (I’m playing Kokkinakis) … no one really likes playing their mate, I would have much preferred to play someone else,” he said.

“(At the net I said to him) just bad luck, really, and just to realise this is the start.”

The left-handed Bolt made the third round of the Australian Open in 2019 and said his Melbourne Park return always came with good vibes.

“I can think back on those moments I’ve had out here, I’ve had some good wins and that gives me confidence to come out on these courts and play well,” he said.

“Once I got in my groove I felt like I was dictating most of the play.”