Nick Kyrgios expressed that his loss to Jacob Fearnley in straight sets during the opening round of the Australian Open on Monday may mark his final singles match at the Grand Slam, due to his increasing frustration with injuries.
The Australian crowd favorite battled with an abdominal strain as he exited Melbourne Park with a 7-6(3) 6-3 7-6(2) defeat against the 92nd ranked player in the world, Fearnley, much to the disappointment of the packed audience at John Cain Arena. This was Kyrgios’ first appearance at Melbourne Park in three years, as knee problems and wrist surgery had significantly impacted his previous two seasons. Speaking to reporters, the 29-year-old stated, “Realistically, I cannot envision myself participating in another singles match here.” He further emphasized the challenges of competing in major tournaments while struggling physically to win sets.
“But I still have a lengthy year ahead of me. I have faith in the process that I will still be able to accomplish some impressive feats at some point this year. “My entire focus right now is to not take anything for granted.” Kyrgios mentioned that he would continue to team up with Thanasi Kokkinakis in the doubles competition at Melbourne Park, even after three years since their championship win. He acknowledged that there would be a tougher path ahead in order to regain the form and fitness that made him a genuine contender in the Grand Slam tournaments in 2022. However, he remained confident that he could still make an impact at Wimbledon. Throughout his match against Fearnley, he winced and expressed discomfort, as his movement was limited and his typically powerful serve lacked its usual strength. “Yes, it’s simply not pleasurable for me. It’s not enjoyable for me to go out there without thinking tactically, without relishing the atmosphere, without considering where I will hit the ball,” he stated. “It’s like, ‘What am I doing to manage my body? This is painful, I can’t continue because it hurts’.
That’s not tennis to me. That’s not sport. “Nick Kyrgios without his serve is probably not–I’m not a threat to many players.”
