Leylah Fernandez has message for Nick Kyrgios after playing doubles with him at the Australian Open

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Leylah Fernandez and Nick Kyrgios have exited the Australian Open following their mixed doubles venture in Melbourne.

Both Fernandez and Kyrgios are former Grand Slam singles runners-up, losing the 2021 US Open and 2022 Wimbledon finals respectively.

Kyrgios and Fernandez won their mixed doubles opener at the hard-court Grand Slam, impressively knocking out Neal Skupski and Desirae Krawczyk.

To the surprise of many at the Australian Open, they beat the two-time Wimbledon mixed doubles champions 6-7(6-8), 6-4, 12-10.

But Fernandez and Kyrgios lost in the Australian Open second round, falling 6-3, 6-1 to James Tracy and Anna Danilina at John Cain Arena.

Leylah Fernandez thanks Nick Kyrgios after Australian Open mixed doubles exit

WTA star Fernandez enjoyed the experience with the ATP ace despite their early exit, with the Canadian taking to social media to share her thoughts.

Sharing images of her time in Melbourne, she wrote on Instagram: “This week was fun, thanks Nick Kyrgios.”

Both players have reached Grand Slam finals while playing with a partner, with Fernandez losing the 2023 French Open final with Taylor Townsend.

But Kyrgios has tasted success in that regard, lifting the 2022 Australian Open trophy with his compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Leylah Fernandez and Nick Kyrgios endure disappointing Australian Open overall

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis reunited in the Australian Open men’s doubles event this year, but they suffered an early exit.

They lost to Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans in their first match, with Kyrgios having not been involved in singles in Melbourne.

Fernandez did play the Australian Open singles tournament, but the 22nd seed suffered a disappointing first round loss to Janice Tjen.

The Canadian also played in women’s doubles with Timea Babos, but they lost their opener to Cristina Bucsa and Nicole Melichar-Martinez.

It was a miserable Grand Slam overall for world number 23 Fernandez, who will be eager to bounce back as soon as possible.

She showed fantastic promise in New York in 2021 before losing to Emma Raducanu, who incidentally should also be desperate for a quick recovery after winning just once in Melbourne.