Nick Kyrgios has put an end to discussions about his potential retirement following a newspaper article that suggested he was contemplating quitting his career as a professional tennis player.
The 28-year-old has been fulfilling the role of a commentator during the Australian Open while he continues to heal from his injury.
A published editorial called “My Retirement Plans and the Paris Olympics” appeared in Nine newspapers in Australia on Wednesday. The author, presumed to be the athlete, mentioned the possibility of ending their career: “I am aware that my time in this sport may be nearing its conclusion. I have come to terms with this.”
However, during his appearance on Eurosport on Thursday, he stated that he has no plans to retire.
He stated that he does not find pleasure in getting injured and going through the rehabilitation process. At times, he questions if it is worth it. However, he is determined to make a comeback as he holds a ranking of 21 in the world for singles and 11 for doubles with a protected status.
“I will return and make an attempt.”
The Australian enjoyed perhaps the best season of his career in 2022, reaching the Wimbledon final where he lost to Novak Djokovic in four sets. But he hasn’t been on tour since June, and only played one match during the entire year as he battled multiple ailments.
“I have experienced severe injuries in the past year. I underwent two knee surgeries and continued to push through that, only to then need wrist surgery,” he stated.
Even though he has not competed at Melbourne Park, he has gained attention as a commentator for ESPN and Eurosport. He also conducted the official post-match interview after Djokovic’s victory over Taylor Fritz in the quarter-final on Tuesday.
Djokovic mentioned that Kyrgios was doing well in the commentary booth, but he hopes to see him back on the court with a racquet soon. He urged everyone to show Kyrgios some support and love.
Kyrgios made a jest on Thursday, suggesting that he may have been waiting for the 36-year-old top-ranked player to retire before making his comeback.
“I may have planned to let Novak retire first, focus on my training, and return in the best physical condition of my life,” he stated. “But rest assured, I will be making a comeback. The rumors of my retirement are absurd.”
