Nick Kyrgios failed to secure his dream Australian Open return after a thrilling first round defeat to Jacob Fearnley.
Kyrgios could have landed a clash with Jannik Sinner at the Australian Open, but the former fell in the first stage as the latter progressed.
The Australian was making his first Grand Slam appearance since the 2022 US Open, with Kyrgios having undergone wrist surgery in September 2023.
He finally returned to ATP action at the start of the season in the Brisbane International, playing both singles and doubles.
But it was the Briton Fearnley who emerged victorious in their first head-to-head meeting, winning 7-6(3), 6-3, 7-6(2) at John Cain Arena.
Nick Kyrgios ‘can’t see’ himself playing Australian Open singles again
During his first Australian Open match since 2022, Kyrgios called for the physio twice due an abdominal injury.
But he still managed to put on a show for his home fans, with one successful rally involving both an underarm serve and a shot behind the back.
Asked in his post-match press conference how such moments felt given his injury struggles, Kyrgios replied: “Yeah, I mean, realistically I can’t really see myself probably playing singles again here, so…
READ MORE: Australian Open 2025: How to watch, prize money, dates and everything you need to know
“Yeah, it was special. Like taking that in, it was pretty good. It was good, yeah. I mean, look, I knew that I have doubles, so I kind of was taking everything in tonight in those moments. It was nuts.
“That’s what I mean. 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.”
He did, however, confirm his upcoming doubles appearance with Thanasi Kokkinakis, saying: “Yeah, yeah, yeah. Yeah, 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.”
Nick Kyrgios plans to ‘make some noise’ at Wimbledon this year
Australian Open fans will undoubtedly be desperate to see Kyrgios on Kokkinakis in action together, with the pair having won the doubles event in Melbourne in 2022.
The latter did, however, need a medical time out during his singles opener against Roman Safiullin, which he won.
Kokkinakis withdrew from the Brisbane International and retired hurt in the Adelaide International before the first Grand Slam of 2025, with shoulder, thigh and hip injuries impacting his time on the court.
But Kyrgios remains confident of their doubles venture, with the 2022 Wimbledon finalist also confirming he will take part at other Grand Slams in 2025.
“Yeah, for sure,” he said. “No, 100% I’ll play the Grand Slams. I’ve got my protected ranking. Obviously Wimbledon is a big one for me.
“I still feel like obviously, if I don’t have an abdominal strain, I feel when I sustained that five days before a Grand Slam, it’s not ideal. Hopefully, if my body’s feeling good, I’ll be able to make some noise at Wimbledon.
“Right now the doubles, I’ll rest. Yeah, it’s just disappointing because I put in so much work. I don’t know. I’m scheduled to play Davis Cup. I’m playing doubles. So yeah… I don’t know what to say, yeah.”
Receive exclusive tennis news and updates twice a week to your mailbox
