Nick Kyrgios’ Australian Open return was short-lived — and he warned it could be his last singles match in his homeland.
The 29-year-old lost in the first round in Melbourne on Monday in straight sets to Britain’s Jacob Fearnley.
Afterward, Kyrgios was asked about moments in the third set when he displayed the showmanship — with an underhand serve and a behind-the-back shot — that made him such an intriguing figure.
“Yeah, I mean, realistically I can’t really see myself probably playing singles again here, so… Yeah, it was special,” Kyrgios said, via The Tennis Letter.
“Like taking that in, it was pretty good. It was good, yeah. So yeah, I mean, look, I knew that I have doubles, so I kind of was taking everything in tonight in those moments.
“It was, yeah, nuts. I didn’t want to just throw in the towel and walk off or retire. I 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.”
Kyrgios has dealt with a number of injuries that have kept him off the court for 18 months heading into this season.
He made his return in December at Brisbane, where he lost to big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the opening round.
There were then doubts he would play in the Australian Open as he suffered an abdominal injury and was in visible discomfort at points in the match.
“Obviously extremely nervous before the match, I didn’t get much sleep,” Fearnley said on court, per ESPN. “Sorry for Nick, I could tell he was dealing with some stuff. But I thought it was a great match and I really enjoyed playing with you guys. All things considered, it’s probably the best match [I’ve played].”
Kyrgios is in the doubles draw with countryman and close friend Thanasi Kokkinakis. They are scheduled to face James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis won the doubles grand slam in Australia two years ago in what is one of Kyrgios’ biggest accomplishments in a career filled with potential and controversies.
Kyrgios has done some broadcasting work for ESPN when out injured, though will not be part of the broadcast for this event.
