Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios admitted that his first-round defeat at the Australian Open against Great Britain’s Jacob Fearnley could mark the end of his singles career at the tournament.

Despite losing in straight sets—7-6 (7/3), 6-3, 7-6 (7/2)—the 28-year-old shared a candid reflection on his performance and the future of his career.

Challenging Conditions and Gratitude for Fans

Ahead of the match, Kyrgios knew he would face challenges, particularly with an ongoing physical struggle that impacted his serving.

Despite not being in top form, he was deeply moved by the overwhelming support from the fans.

Kyrgios shared, “I knew tonight was going to be tough.

With my physical state going into the match, I knew I was going to be really hindered with my serve.

But just seeing the fans line up for four, five hours, just the amount of people that were there supporting me, it was hard to kind of throw the towel in.”

The encouragement from the crowd kept him going throughout the match, even as he faced difficulties on the court.

Cherishing Special Moments and Memories

As the match unfolded, Kyrgios made a conscious decision to be fully present in the moment.

He walked onto John Cain Arena without headphones, eager to take in the energy of the crowd.

Reflecting on the experience, he said, “There are moments for me that are special that I won’t forget.

Really, they were tagging me in stories beforehand, like we waited four or five hours to line up.”

The emotional connection with his supporters was undeniable, and he appreciated their unwavering loyalty and enthusiasm for him, both in the stadium and across social media.

Fighting Through Adversity

Even though the match was physically taxing for Kyrgios, he was determined not to give up.

He admitted, “It would have been really easy to kind of just roll over.

I tried to do the best I could with the state I was in physically.”

The motivation to continue, despite the adversity, came from his commitment to his fans and the desire to finish strong.

Committed to Doubles with Kokkinakis

While his singles future remains uncertain due to the abdominal strain, Kyrgios confirmed his dedication to playing doubles alongside his close friend Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Despite both players enduring physical setbacks, Kyrgios emphasized their commitment to partnering up in doubles matches.

“Me and Thanasi, I think we owe it to each other to go out there and play,” he stated, reaffirming his belief in the importance of their partnership.

Reflecting on His Career and Looking Ahead

Despite the loss, Kyrgios remained optimistic about the year ahead, particularly focusing on future Grand Slams like Wimbledon. “I’ve got my protected ranking.

Obviously, Wimbledon is a big one for me,” he explained.

He also shared that with a bit of rest, he felt his body could still perform at a high level in the future.

In a reflective mood, Kyrgios added that he had no regrets about his tennis journey.

“I’ve had an amazing career, my journey is not over, but I’ve had an amazing journey.

My career’s been amazing. I don’t have any regrets,” he said.

He acknowledged that his career had been filled with learning experiences, and he continues to enjoy the ride, no matter what the future holds.

A Positive Outlook for the Future

With a deep appreciation for the experiences he’s had and the support from his fans, Kyrgios is determined to continue playing, especially in the doubles circuit.

He remains hopeful that his body will recover and allow him to compete at Wimbledon and beyond.

His reflective yet optimistic approach to tennis and life is a reminder that even in defeat, there are moments of growth and gratitude.

Dave Marshall is covering the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne exclusively for The South African website.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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