Nick Kyrgios hits back over 'garbage' detail amid tennis retirement bombshell
Fans were shocked at suggestions the Aussie star's tennis career was set to end.
Nick Kyrgios has moved to reassure fans that his tennis career is not over, following reports the 28-year-old was set to retire from the sport. Kyrgios sent shockwaves through the sport this week after suggesting that his "time in the sport may be over" and revealing that he would not compete for Australia at the Olympics again, regardless of whether he's fit or not.
The former Wimbledon finalist had to withdraw from this year's Australian Open in yet another injury blow after missing all of 2023 due to a series of issues. Kyrgios has been working for TV networks ESPN and Eurosport to provide commentary and insights during the Melbourne Park grand slam and he sees it as a natural progression when his tennis career comes to an end.
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Many fans thought that time had already come after Kyrgios wrote an article for Nine Newspapers that discussed his Olympic Games boycott and opened with the comment: “The reality is, there is a part of me that knows my time in the sport may be over. And I’m OK with that.” Many understood that to mean that Kyrgios was retiring from tennis, with the 28-year-old forced to reassure fans that he has no immediate plans to quit the sport.
“Attention... I am not retiring,” Kyrgios said on his Instagram stories. “Please don’t spread this garbage. I’m coming back and will be lighting up courts soon.”
Kyrgios added in a. Follow-up message on social media: “I have woken up today and realised about some articles going around and saying that I am retired and that I’m not going to play anymore. I just want to just clear it up, it’s absolute nonsense.
“Yes, the last year has been tough with injury, my knee, my wrist, but I’m hungry as ever, constantly rehabbing, in the gym. Part of the reason why I am commentating and doing all these things around AO is to still feel that fire and still be a part of it. So I still wanted to let everyone know, all my fans I’m coming back, stay tuned, but there’s plenty left in the tank. Don’t stress.”
Nick Kyrgios remarks spark retirement reports
Fans were left in a frenzy around Kyrgios' future after the star admitted he was at a "crossroads" in his tennis carer and excited by what will follow, having already made a successful foray into broadcasting. "I’m at a crossroads in my career and have reached a point where life after tennis is a prospect that excites me," Kyrgios wrote in his column.
"It's why my manager brought it up. He said, 'This could be you from now on if you want it to be'. I could travel the world making really good money commentating on the sport, doing things like I am now with my talk show interviewing guys like Gordon Ramsay and Mike Tyson."
Kyrgios' contemplation about retirement is nothing new for the 28-year-old, who is aiming to make a successful comeback to the sport after knee and wrist surgeries. "I sit there and watch some of the players on tour and know within myself that this generation is not as strong as some of the players I have gone up against," he said in the newspaper column. I know I can be one of the best in the world and win major tournaments - if my body lets me. The fire still burns, but it's not my everything."
Kyrgios admits he is "no guarantee" to return from his long injury lay-off in time for Wimbledon and the US Open later in the year, but has set his sights on those two grand slams. One thing that is certain though is the 28-year-old will mot make himself available for Australia at the Olympic Games in Paris after lashing the Australian Olympic Committee's treatment of him in the past.
The fiery tennis star was banned from representing Australia at the Rio Games in 2016 due to behavioural issues, in a decision he labelled "unfair and unjust". Kyrgios said: "The way I was treated by the Australian Olympic Committee and former chef de mission Kitty Chiller will never be forgotten.
"To ban me from playing at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games was a disgrace. I was No.13 at the time and had a genuine chance at winning a medal. For them to forbid me from representing my country for behavioural reasons is something that I just can’t forget."
with AAP
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