Australian Open: Nick Kyrgios drops big retirement hint after first-round loss to Britain’s Jacob Fearnley | Tennis news
Nick Kyrgios says he is “probably” playing singles for the last time at the Australian Open after suffering a first-round loss to Britain’s Jacob Fearnley in Melbourne.
Home favorite Kyrgios, a 2022 Wimbledon finalist, was handicapped by an abdominal strain as Fearnley won 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 7-6 (7-2) in two hours and 19 minutes on Monday.
Kyrgios, 29, was booed by a fanatical crowd as he played in his first Grand Slam since the 2022 US Open after recovering from chronic wrist and hip injuries.
“Realistically, I can’t imagine I’ll probably play singles here again, so it was special,” Kyrgios said. “As far as I can tell, it was pretty good.
“I didn’t want to just throw in the towel and walk away or retire. I was physically hurt. I respect my opponent. Fans waited for hours to come see me play.
“Realistically, I can’t see myself playing singles here again.”
Kyrgios plans to play doubles at the Australian Open
Despite the injury, Kyrgios said he still intends to play in the doubles alongside compatriot and close friend Thanasi Kokkinakis, who defied his own physical problems to win their first-round match on Monday.
“Yeah, me and Thanasi, I think we owe it to each other to come out and play,” said Kyrgios, who won the 2022 Melbourne doubles title alongside Kokkinakis.
“Obviously, I know he’s a physical wreck most of the time, but he kind of pushes himself through. For him, it’s what he went through today.
“Yeah, but I guess we’ll play doubles. I’ll play doubles.”
While suggesting 2025 is likely to be his last year on the singles tour, Kyrgios said he remains confident he can “make some noise” at Wimbledon if he is healthy when the grass-court tournament starts in late June.
He said: “100 percent, I will play Grand Slams. I have my protected ranking.
“Obviously Wimbledon is big for me. I still feel like obviously if I don’t have the tension in my stomach, I feel when I’ve been through it five days before a Grand Slam, it’s not ideal.
“Hopefully if my body feels good I can make some noise at Wimbledon.”
Fearnley: Probably the best game of my career
Fearnley admitted he feels anxious about playing Kyrgios on Australian soil, admitting the crowd in Melbourne will be against him.
The world number 92 was looking to take another big step at his second Grand Slam – the 23-year-old lost to Novak Djokovic in the second round at Wimbledon last year – after a spectacular climb up the rankings.
Kyrgios saved two break points at 3-3 in the first set, but a few grimaces revealed his inner turmoil and the Australian began to suggest he should not play through the pain barrier.
Fearnley was unmoved as Kyrgios’ complaints grew louder and his team’s on-court language more colorful.
The British number 3 dominated the tie-break with a series of explosive forehand winners, and it was the same scenario in the second set.
The Scot broke early and Kyrgios’ discomfort was clear as he called for medical attention twice during a break in play.
Kyrgios told his team at the end of the second set that he would “keep going until I can’t anymore”.
The end seemed close when Kyrgios missed a routine volley at the net and Fearnley broke to lead 2-1 in the third set.
But Kyrgios fought back to make it 3-3 before an underarm serve and swagger point brought the John Cain Arena crowd to their feet.
Amid the see-saw drama, Fearnley had break points in back-to-back games and Kyrgios, despite needing further medical attention, had a set point when leading 5-4.
None were taken before Fearnley finally broke Kyrgios’ resistance in a one-sided tie-break.
Asked if it was the best game of his career, Fearnley said: “It’s definitely up there. I think, all things considered, it’s probably my best game – yes.
“I was very nervous before the match and I didn’t get much sleep. I knew it would be a stormy match. I thought I played well.
“I feel sorry for Nick, I knew he was dealing with some things, but he played amazing tennis and I thought it was a great match.”
Fearnley will face unseeded Frenchman Arthur Cazaux in the second round, after the world number 78 beat Argentina’s 28th seed Sebastian Baez in a five-set comeback win.
Watch the ATP and WTA Tours, as well as the US Open in New York, live on Sky Sports in 2025 or stream with NOW and through The Sky Sports app.
