Kyrgios admits Wimbledon career likely over after first-round exit
Nick Kyrgios has conceded that he has probably played his final match at Wimbledon, following an emotional first-round doubles defeat on Wednesday. The 31-year-old Australian, who reached the singles final in 2022, partnered Alexander Bublik in a 6-3, 6-4 loss to Marcelo Arevalo and Mate Pavic on Court 17.
In a post-match interview, Kyrgios said: 'I'd probably say pretty confidently [this was] my last Wimbledon. Towards the end, just looking around and taking everything in, it was tough. I just feel body wise and everything, it'd be hard to see myself coming back here again and competing.'
Physical and mental toll of injuries
Kyrgios has struggled with injuries since his 2022 final, including reconstructive wrist surgery. He admitted his body can no longer handle the demands of Grand Slam singles tennis. 'What's the point at that point? You go from making finals of Grand Slams to struggling to play multiple singles matches, so who knows?' he said.
He added: 'I don't know how much I have left to deal with everything every time I play. It's too much. I can tell the fans want more but it's heartbreaking to not be able to give it to them every single time. But the support out there was incredible.'
Emotional farewell on Court 17
Kyrgios described the moment he realised it might be his last service game at Wimbledon. 'I told Sasha (Bublik) at change of ends: 'Look, it's my last service game ever at Wimbledon.' It was a lot of emotions, for sure,' he said.
He also reflected on his career: 'My career kicked off here and my life changed forever after that.'
Kyrgios requests 'stars to align' for future
While not announcing full retirement, Kyrgios said he needs both physical and mental readiness to continue. 'I think physically, I'd go until my wheels fall off. I wouldn't care how badly I injured myself. I feel like I've had the conversations with myself in that sense that I'll go until my wheels would fall off. But mentally it's a lot, willing to do the right things every day and things need to fall into place.'
He added: 'The stars need to align and for me right now, I just don't know. It's tough, it's very tough.'
Kyrgios criticises tennis rules during match
During the match, Kyrgios swore at the umpire, saying: 'Honestly at this point you can fine me, I honestly don't even care. All these rules are so dumb anyway.' However, he later clarified: 'I never said that swearing should be allowed and I just said some of the rules are a bit ridiculous. I stand by that. Whether or not all of the rules are, I think most of the rules are very traditional, they're fine.'
