Nick Kyrgios was determined to take everything in during his Australian Open defeat to Jacob Fearnley, admitting he is unlikely to play singles at his home grand slam again. (Full Coverage | More Tennis News)
Nick Kyrgios has only played three Tour-𒉰level singles matches since the start of the 2023 season. He has been ravaged by injuries since reaching the Wimbledon final and the US Open quarter-finals in 2022
Nick Kyrgios was determined to take everything in during his Australian Open defeat to Jacob Fearnley, admitting he is unlikely to play singles at his home grand slam again. (Full Coverage | More Tennis News)
Kyrgios saw his comeback ruined by Britain's Fearnley, who dealt the Aust𓄧ralian fan favourite a 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 7-6 (7-2) first-round defeat at John Cain Arena.
It was only Kyrgios' second first-rou🐓nd loss from 10 such matches at the Australian Open, while Fearnley is the first British playꦬer other than Andy Murray to eliminate him from a grand slam.
The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up appeared tꦇo struggle with an abdominal issue early in the match, but he says he could not have retired in front of a raucous c🎃rowd.
Addressing the support he received, Kyrgios said: "Realisti💮cally, I can't really see myself probably playing singles again here, so it was special.
"Taking that in, it was pretty good. I know that🍨 I have doubles, but I was ꧂just taking everything in tonight in those moments. It was nuts.
"I didn't want to throw in the towel and walk off or retire. I was🦩 hurting physically but I respect my opponent. The fans waited ho💮urs to come and see me play."
Kyrgios has only played three Tour-level singles matches since the star💮t of the 2023 season.
He has been ravaged by injuries s𒈔ince reaching the Wimbledon final and the US O📖pen quarter-finals in 2022.
"I was knocking on the door, playing some of the biggest events, winning some of th๊e biggest events," Kyrgios reflected.
"I didn't think I was going to be back here and playing anyway. I꧟ didn't get a wildcard. I'm here because I feel like I deserve to be here.
"It's hard, when you're competing at the biggest tournaments in the world and you're struggling to win sets physic🎉ally..ඣ. it's pretty tough.
"But I'veಞ still got a long year ahead. I'm trusting the process t🤪hat I will still be able to do some cool things this year at some stage."
Indeed, the 29-year-old is not planning to call it a day 🐼jus♍t yet.
&q💜uot;I have no regrets," he said. "My journey is not over, but I've h🅰ad 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, ๊be real and enjoy the ride. It would be selfish for me to say that I want more. I've had a lot of success, more than most athletes would have."
Kyrgios' singles campaign may be over already, but he is slated to play doubles alongside Thanasi Kokkinak🍎is on Wednesday, with the lo🦂ng-time friends facing fellow Australian pair Aleksandar Vukic and James Duckworth.
Des🍸pite struggling for fitness lately, Kyrgios pla🧜ns to feature.
He said: "Me and Thanasi, I thin𓆏k we owe it to each other to go out there and play.
"I know that he's a physical wreck most of the time, but he somehow 💯pushes t🌸hrough! Props to him for getting through his match today."