'Why I play': The motivation fuelling Nick Kyrgios in the Australian Open

Kyrgios is tipped to cruise past Frederico Ferreira Silva in the first round of the Australian Open when the pair meet at Melbourne Arena on Monday night.

A win would set Kyrgios on a collision course with 29th-ranked Ugo Humbert in the second round and open the door for a showdown with world No.3 Dominic Thiem in the third.

It looms as an enormous task but the Canberra product says the NK Foundation, aimed at providing sport facilities to disadvantaged youths, is fuelling his charge on the court after a long stint at home in recent months allowed him to prioritise his goals off the court.

"Having a year at home, I just went back to the basics and completely refreshed," Kyrgios said in a Q&A with Todd Woodbridge at Melbourne Park on Sunday.

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"I spent time with my family, my friends. Being at home was the best thing for me. It made focus on a couple of things I wanted to do outside tennis.

"The foundation is kicking off awesome, we're opening another facility in Canberra which is massive as well. We had Jordan Thompson down there in Canberra helping at schools, trying to get kids active.

"That's what it's about. It's just about trying to be comfortable in your own skin and getting active. Kids are low on confidence these days, that's why I play, I want to give them confidence just to get out there."

The Australian Open marks Kyrgios' first major outing in 12 months after he opted to sit out of international tournaments at the height of the coronavirus pandemic.

The 25-year-old has returned to the court wearing a sleeve on his left leg as he continues to manage a knee injury which has plagued the Canberran for months.

Kyrgios required an arthroscopic procedure for a meniscus tear and is continuing to manage his left knee as he sets his sights on the Australian Open.

But it seems the man who has emerged as tennis' voice of reason over the past year enters a first round clash with Silva bereft of an aggravation to the injury in a major boost.

"I think I actually played juniors with him, I know his game a little bit," Kyrgios said.

"I think I played him once or twice in juniors. Honestly I just focus on my game, I'll go out there, serve big and play big, and then see what happens.

"It's been almost a year since I've been competing, so to come back last week and get out there again, play a couple of matches, and just see how everything is going, I felt good.

"I'm excited to be back. [On Monday] it kicks off again. I'm just going to enjoy this weather, and go out there [on Monday] and try to have some fun."