Nick Kyrgios announced that he has lost interest in playing tennis, as concerns arise about his chances of recovering from severe knee and wrist ailments, despite previously reaching the Wimbledon finals.
Kyrgios asserts that he will return and end his career on his own conditions, even though he has only played one match in the past 14 months and has dropped off the world rankings. However, the 28-year-old acknowledges that he is fatigued from the demands of the tour and in a perfect scenario, he would have already retired.
Kyrgios expressed on the On Purpose with Jay Shetty podcast that he has no desire to continue playing. He feels obligated to do so, despite having more potential, because he lacks the passion to keep playing.
“I am fatigued and worn out. I have undergone three surgeries and I am only 28 years old. My dream has always been to have a family without experiencing pain. However, even simple tasks like walking are painful for me. It is a difficult situation.”
Kyrgios shared with the British podcaster that if given the chance, he would not have initially chosen to start playing with a racket.
The unpredictable gifted athlete recently announced his withdrawal from the upcoming Australian Open, stating it was a difficult but expected decision after his loss to China’s 64th ranked player, Yibling Wu, in June’s Stuttgart tournament.
The ex-No.13 player will now focus on commentating at Melbourne Park, but he reassures that he will come back, even if it’s not his preference, to compete in 2024 with a protected rank of No.21.
“I have a desire to play for approximately one to two more years, reaching the peak of my game and retiring on my own terms,” stated Kyrgios. “I do not want to undergo any further surgeries or procedures. Therefore, I believe I still have the capability to have successful one to two years before calling it quits.”
I believe I will be content with my accomplishments. I must inform those who wish for me to continue playing that they will need to accept my decision to stop playing.
Disregard the newsletter advertisement.
after newsletter promotion
Kyrgios had knee surgery in January, and then had another surgery in October due to a torn ligament in his right wrist, which affects his serving. Juan Martin del Potro, a former US Open finalist, also recovered from a similar injury, but has not played since February of last year.
John Newcombe, a renowned Australian tennis player, is not completely losing hope for Kyrgios’ return, but he recognizes the challenges that lie ahead for the athlete from Canberra.
According to Newcombe, I am not familiar with the extent of the injury, but it appears to be lingering and will be difficult to recover from due to the player’s increasing age and prolonged absence. It may be challenging for him to regain his spot in the game, but if he can heal his wrist, he has the potential to win numerous points with his strong skills.
