Nick Kyrgios retired with an injury at Indian Wells. (Image: Getty)
Nick Kyrgios broke down in tears courtside after suffering a fresh injury blow on Thursday night, retiring from his BNP Paribas Open first-round match against Botic van de Zandschulp. Kyrgios trailed the Dutchman 6-7 (7-9) 0-3 at Indian Wells but was showcasing some good tennis in his latest comeback before being forced to bow out.
The 29-year-old cut his practice session short earlier this week due to wrist pain, admitting at the time that he “couldn’t catch a break at the moment” with his body. He looked bright against Van de Zandschulp and held a set point during the first-set tiebreaker, which he ultimately lost before falling 3-0 down in the second set. It was clear something was bothering Kyrgios, and he then grew visibly emotional during a conversation with his trainer before conceding the match.
Van de Zandschulp progressed to face Kyrgios’ close friend in the second round, while the injury-hit Australian continues to battle to overcome his long-term wrist problem.
“I wasn’t too confident that I was going to be able to play today, to be honest,” Kyrgios admitted after his Indian Wells exit.
“Two days ago in practice, I had to stop my practice because I felt pain in my wrist. I felt like it was OK to take to the court [but it] just got progressively worse. I started feeling sharp pain in my wrist.”
He added: “This process has been probably one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my life. Reality, it’s not too bad, but for my tennis career, it’s by far the biggest.
Nick Kyrgios appeared to have a wrist problem. (Image: Getty)
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“Just the amount of work that goes in when I go back home or when I’m not playing, it’s not fun. I know that I can’t really be doing any more to try and get back and play.
“I guess it’s just the amount of work I put in, and I’m still having so much discomfort in my wrist. That’s, I guess, why I got a bit emotional towards the end because it’s one of my favourite tournaments.”
Kyrgios continues to be hampered by injuries, with relentless wrist and knee issues making his appearance his first at a Grand Slam since reaching the 2022 US Open quarter-finals.
The Canberra-born talent was also forced to withdraw in the first round in Melbourne, prompting him to share that he had likely played his final match in his home major.
“I want to play. I knew I was going to be in discomfort tonight after two days ago, but I took the court. Yeah, it’s brutal, especially because I was having such a good year,” Kyrgios continued.
“I think that’s what is painful for me. And I think, you know, the coach I’m here with this week, my physio, I keep talking about that year, and it’s, like, you can’t expect that anymore.
“That’s, I think, for me, what’s a bit heartbreaking just because I thought I’d figured it out. I had an amazing season, literally knocking on the door of a Grand Slam, and then you just get pulled right back.
“And now you’re gonna start from – I literally don’t have a ranking at the moment, was out for one-and-a-half years, and I’m trying to work my way back.”