Nick Kyrgios and Leylah Fernandez looked to continue their run in the Australian Open mixed doubles event this year.
Kyrgios did not receive a wildcard for the Australian Open singles draw this year, after admitting he was not physically ready to play a best-of-five set match.
Despite this, the 30-year-old has still competed in Melbourne this year, with Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis struggling in their first round doubles defeat.
There were still some positive signs for Kyrgios, who won his first mixed doubles match with Fernandez, and they looked to continue their momentum in the second round.
Nick Kyrgios and Leylah Fernandez’s latest match lasts just 56 minutes
As well as both their respective success in singles, Kyrgios is also a former doubles Grand Slam champion, while Fernandez reached the final of the French Open doubles tournament in 2023.
Showcasing their doubles prowess in the first round, Kyrgios and Fernandez were able to save three match points against two-time Wimbledon mixed doubles champions Neal Skupski and Desirae Krawczyk.
This looked to be a positive sign for Kyrgios ahead of his next match in Melbourne, but their run was abruptly stopped in just 56 minutes.
Playing against the pairing of James Tracy and Anna Danilina, Kyrgios and Fernandez were beaten, 6-3 6-1, on John Cain Arena.
This signals the end of a disappointing Australian Open for both Kyrgios and former US Open finalist Fernandez, with the latter also losing in the first round of singles and the women’s doubles draw.
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It has been a testing few years for Kyrgios, who has played just seven singles matches since 2022, which was the year where he reached the Wimbledon final.
During this time, Kyrgios has struggled with knee, foot and wrist injuries, which has included undergoing two surgeries.
Given all of the setbacks he has faced in recent years, Kyrgios has been very honest about the possibility of retirement from tennis being in his near future.
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Despite this, in his message on social media after confirming he would not play in the Australian Open singles draw, Kyrgios suggested that he would be back at the Melbourne major in 2027.
Although Kyrgios still appears to see tennis in his future, it is unclear as to what his next tournament will be following his exit from the Australian Open.
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