PHOTO SOURCE: ROLEX
Posted by Chris Oddo | @TheFanChild | Monday January 13, 2025
Nick Kyrgios' The Grand Slam career may be over soon. Maybe 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 produce the pop and speed he is known for.
The loss left Kyrgios, 16 months removed from wrist surgery which is still bothering him, thinking he may have just played his last Australian Open.
“Honestly I don't really see myself maybe playing singles here,” he said, before focusing on the highlights of the special atmosphere at John Cain Arena. “It was special. Like that take, it was great. “
Kyrgios was bothered by a stomach problem that slowed him down on Monday, but refused to retire.
“I didn't want to just throw in the towel and go or go to work,” she said. “He was in pain in his body. I respect my opponent. Fans wait for hours to see me play. Yeah, I mean, I don't really see myself playing a singles game here.”
That said, Kyrgios plans to keep pushing through 2025, and thinks he can finally find form and fitness.
“When you're competing in the biggest tournaments in the world and you're fighting to win sets physically, it's very difficult,” he said. “But I still have a long year left. I trust the program that I can still do good things this year at some point.”
But tonight, apparently, was not his night.
“I'm happy to play in a time of discomfort,” he said. “When it comes down to it – I'm one of the biggest servers on the tour and I'm going to show up tonight. My average feed speed was less than 200 (KPH). I mean, Nick Kyrgios without his performance is probably not — I'm not a threat to a lot of players. “
Whatever happens throughout Kyrgios' career, rest assured that he will finish with no regrets.
“No regrets,” he said. “My journey is not over, but I have had an amazing journey. My work has been amazing. I have no regrets.
“I think everything has been a learning opportunity for me. I continue to try and have fun, be real, and enjoy the ride. But I think it would be selfish of me to say that I want more, I want more. I have had great success. More than most athletes would have.
“No, I'm not sorry.”
