Kyrgios: I’ve hit the end of my AO singles career

Nick Kyrgios says that his first-round loss at the Australian Open almost certainly marked the end of his singles career at his home Grand Slam.

The months of build up to the Kyrgios return after two seasons of injuries went for nought as the former No. 13 and 2022 Wimbledon finalist lost 7-6 (3), 6-3, 7-6 (1) to rising Brit Jakob Fearnley.

The Aussie who turns 30 in April was struggling with the abdominal injury which has bothered him for weeks in the run-up to the season.

In the end, it was all just too much: “Realistically I can’t really see myself playing a singles match again here,” Kyrgios said.

“(The match) was special. I knew that I have doubles, so I kind of was taking everything in tonight in those moments. 

“It was nuts. I didn’t want to just throw in the towel and walk off or retire. I was hurting physically.I respect my opponent.”

But Kyrgios confirmed that he and mate Thanasi Kokkinakis would front up for their doubles starting in a few days.

“Me and Thanasi, I think we owe it to each other to go out there and play. Obviously I know that he’s a physical wreck most of the time, but he somehow pushes through.

“Props to him for getting through his match today. Yeah, but I guess we will play doubles. I’ll play doubles.”

Kyrgios added: “When you’re competing at the biggest tournaments in the world and you’re struggling to win  sets physically, it’s pretty tough. 

“But I’ve still got a long year ahead. I’m trusting that I can still be able to do some cool things this year at some stage.

“All my focus now is just not taking anything for granted.

“Playing doubles with Thanasi, one of my good mates, we’ve won this event before. We owe it to each other I think to go out there in front of the crowd and have a bit of fun.”