Nick Kyrgios crashed out of the Australian Open in the first round (Image: Getty)
Nick Kyrgios has dropped a subtle hint that he may be facing the prospect of retiring following his first-round exit at the . The 29-year-old crashed out of the first of 2025 courtesy of a 7-6 [7-3], 6-3, 7-6 [7-2] loss to Jacob Fearnley on Monday (January 13), in his first major appearance since the 2022 – an event which he made the quarter-finals of.
The Australian has been hindered by wrist and hip injuries over the past couple of years, but it was abdominal strain which impacted his performance at the recent tournament, with frequently holding his side throughout his match. And after the match, he suggested he may soon be looking at the prospect of retirement.
He explained: “Realistically, I can’t really see myself probably playing singles again here, so it was special. I didn’t want to just throw in the towel and walk off or retire. I was hurting physically. I respect my opponent. The fans waited hours to come see me play.”
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It’s not the first time that Kyrgios has hinted at retirement, however, never shying away from talking about the eventuality of hanging up his racket. Here, Express Sport breaks down all of the things the tennis ace has said on walking away from the game over the years.
Future plans
Back in December 2020, Kyrgios featured in a promotional video for Sony’s Playstation 5, during which he confessed he sees a future in gaming when he finally calls it quits on tennis. He explained: “When I reach 10 years spent at the professional level, I think I will try to make the switch and become a gamer.
“I think I’m good enough to be able to play that, but I just need to dedicate myself to this.” Given that Kyrgios turned pro in 2013, he has enjoyed a 12-year career in the sport to date – and while we’re yet to see him compete in the video gaming world just yet, it seems it could be now close.
Kyrgios struggled with his injuries in his loss to Jacob Fearnley (Image: Getty)
‘Tired’ of playing
Speaking on Jay Shetty’s On Purpose podcast in 2023, Kyrgios revealed that he was exhausted by the tour and that if it was up to him he would retire from tennis. He explained: “If it was up to me, I don’t really want to play any more to be honest. I have to almost [keep playing].
“I’ve got so much more to give but, for me, I don’t feel like playing any more. I’m exhausted, I’m tired, I have had three surgeries now that…I’m only 28 years old, I always wanted to have a family and not be in pain. When I get up, I can’t walk without pain. It’s a tough gig.”
He added: “I only want to play for about another one to two years and be at the top and go down my own terms. I would hate to have another surgery or anything like that. So I think I’ve still got the ability to have a good one to two years and then that’s it. I think I’ll be at peace with everything I’ve achieved. I’m going to have to just say to everyone out there who wants me to play more, ‘You’re just going to have to be OK with me not playing any more’.”
Doubts about the future
After Kyrgios was ruled out of the 2024 edition of , the pro admitted that as to whether he would ever return to the same level he was at during his prime playing days. Speaking with on his , he pondered: “I’ve genuinely thought about, ‘is it worth me doing all of this?’
“I wasn’t having the improvement in my wrist that I wanted, and I was like, maybe I’ll never get back to that level. I haven’t had as much success, to say as or Novak [Djokovic], but I’ve had a great time, and I’ve had more success than most athletes do have. So I can’t be selfish in wanting more, I don’t think.”
‘A few chapters left’
Back in October, Kyrgios took to to share a photo carousel of some of his greatest achievements in the world of tennis, dropping a cryptic hint that he was approaching retirement in doing so. Alongside the selection of snaps, Kyrgios wrote: “Tennis…..damn…..it’s been A CRAZY JOURNEY!!!! It all started because of you. FOREVER GRATEFUL. I love all my FANS. There are only a few chapters left.”
Could Kyrgios be on the verge of retirement? (Image: Getty)
Injury woes
Speaking on the Nothing Major podcast in December, Kyrgios admitted that he was on the home stretch in terms of his tennis career, even going as far as noting how 2025 may be his last year as a pro. He said: “Every time I play tennis now, I got to do an hour and a half treatment after like my wrist. I lose feeling in my fingers sometimes. It’s tingling. So I’m definitely on the back end.
“I couldn’t see myself playing for another, max a year and a half, probably. Like with my body, honestly, with my wrist at the moment.” Despite his exit from the singles competition at the , Kyrgios has admitted that he hopes to have more success in the doubles game alongside fellow countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis.