PHOTO SOURCE: ROLEX
By Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday January 13, 2025
Nick Kyrgios’ Grand Slam career could soon come to an end. Perhaps it already is.
The Aussie returned to the Australian Open on Monday night in Melbourne, but fell in straight sets to Brit Jacob Fearnley in a match that saw him struggle physically, as he failed to generate the awe inspiring pop and pace that he is known for.
The loss left Kyrgios, 16 months removed from a wrist surgery that still bothers him, thinking that he may have just played his last Australian Open.
“Realistically I can’t really see myself probably playing singles again here,” he said, before focusing in on the highlights of a special atmosphere on John Cain Arena. “It was special. Like taking that in, it was pretty good.”
Kyrgios was bothered with an abdominal issue that slowed him further on Monday, but he refused to retire.
“I didn’t want to just throw in the towel and walk off or retire,” he said. “ was hurting physically. I respect my opponent. The fans waited hours to come see me play. Yeah, I mean, realistically I can’t see myself playing a singles match here again.”
That said, Kyrgios plans to continue pushing in 2025, and he thinks he can find his form and fitness eventually.
“When you’re competing for the biggest tournaments in the world and you’re struggling to win sets physically, it’s pretty tough,” he said. “But I’ve still got a long year ahead. I’m trusting the process that I can still be able to do some cool things this year at some stage.”
But tonight, clearly, was not his night.
“I’m happy to play through a bit of discomfort,” he said. “When it gets to a point of – I’m one of the biggest servers on tour and I’m getting outserved tonight. My average serve speed was beneath 200 (KPH). I mean, Nick Kyrgios without his serve is probably not — I’m not a threat to many players.”
Whatever happens for the rest of Kyrgios’ career, rest assured, he’ll finish with no regrets.
“No regrets,” he said. “My journey is not over, but I’ve had an amazing journey. My career’s been amazing. I don’t have any regrets.
“I think everything has been a learning curve for me. I continue to try and have fun, just be real, and enjoy the ride. But I think it would be selfish for me to say that I want more, I want more. I’ve had a lot of success. More than most athletes would have.
“No, I don’t have any regrets.”
