"I am a sicko. I just love it all. I love everything that comes with it," he said ahead of Tuesday's ATP Tour return against American Aleksandar Kovacevic.
"I don't know what else to do with myself, to be honest. What else do I do? Celebrity boxing?"
The 30-year-old played five Tour matches last year, the last of those in March.
He didn't play at all in 2024 and just once the year before that.
The one-time world No.13 has had four rounds of knee and wrist surgery in that time and is no longer on an injury-protected ranking, relying on wildcards as he sits at No.670.
There was sudden improvement in his aging joints late last year though and, after a string of exhibition matches to finish 2025, he's back at the Brisbane International promising the full "Kyrgios experience".
It began alongside good mate Thanasi Kokkinakis on Sunday night in an enthralling 92-minute doubles win that showcased their quality and quirks.
"But even on the singles court, I do stupid things, and I kind of do whatever I feel like doing," said Kyrgios, a Wimbledon finalist in 2022.
"Not taking it too seriously, but also just locking in in certain moments. We are enjoying it, we had so much fun and it was at an incredibly high level.
"(But) no-one else does as stupid things as me on the court, so that's what I add."
Kyrgios is slated to play at next week's Kooyong Classic and is still waiting to hear if he'll receive an Australian Open wildcard.
After a limp first-round exit a year ago, he insists he won't play at Melbourne Park unless he is physically capable and says he's at peace with whatever 2026 delivers.
"I don't know what my future holds; I'm literally taking it day-by-day," he said.
"Just to be a part of these events is special. When me and Thanasi play doubles together, we remember that this sport can be pretty fun.
"It's not always just injuries and competing and grinding.
"Every good thing that's come in my life has come from this sport.
"And at the end of the day, it's gone in a flash."
Countryman Alexei Popyrin hopes to see a bit more of that mercurial talent this year.
"It's nice having Nick back on the tour; he puts tennis on the map really well," he said. "Hopefully he can stay for the rest of the year.
"He's one of the most talented players, so I think if he's mentally in the right space and physically is in the right shape he'll come back in and will cause difficulty for everyone.
"But we'll see. (He) mentally looks like he's in a good shape and, yeah, physically, we'll just have to wait and see."
Kyrgios will play in Tuesday's afternoon match after world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka opens her campaign on Pat Rafter Arena.
35°C