Kyrgios, Barty among Newcombe medal hopes

Wednesday, 15 November 2017: After being ineligible to win the past two Newcombe Medals, Nick Kyrgios is among the five players in the running for Tennis Australia's highest honour.

Tennis bad boy Nick Kyrgios is back in the running for the Newcombe Medal after being named one of five contenders for this year's award.

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Kyrgios was ineligible to win tennis' highest honour for the past two years due to suspension but has joined hot favourite Ashleigh Barty, as well Daria Gavrilova, John Peers and Jordan Thompson as the finalists.

The winner will be announced at a ceremony in Melbourne on November 27.

Kyrgios made the final of the Cincinnati Masters, beating Rafael Nadal en route, however the world No.1 got revenge with victory in the final of the China Open in October.

Ranked world No.21, Kyrgios was a key member of Australia's team that surged to the Davis Cup semi-finals.

Barty started the year ranked outside the top 200 after a return to tennis in 2016 from an 18-month break.

The 21-year-old rocketed up to a career-high ranking of 17 at year's end and taken over the mantle of Australia's No.1 player.

Her highlights included her first WTA singles title in Malaysia in March and defeating four top-10 seeds on her way to the final of the Wuhan Open in September.