Nick Kyrgios finds himself at a crossroads following another disappointing chapter in his career, leaving the Australian tennis star contemplating his path ahead.
During his first-round match at the BNP Paribas Open on Thursday night, a persistent wrist injury led to an emotional retirement while he was down 7-6 (7), 3-0 against Botic Van De Zandschulp.
This wrist issue has shadowed Kyrgios, causing him to sit out nearly all of the 2023 and 2024 seasons.
“Right now, it feels like an experiment,” Kyrgios expressed after the match in Indian Wells, California, as reported by ESPN. “I was advised that I might never play tennis again, yet I sense that I’m so close to being competitive once more.”
“(Van De Zandschulp) defeated (Carlos) Alcaraz at the 2024 US Open convincingly, and I managed to obtain set points against him. I know I’m competitive, but if I can’t finish matches, it becomes irrelevant. I’m uncertain about my condition tomorrow; it feels quite sore as of now. We’ll have to wait and see.”
At 29 years old, Kyrgios finds himself with an unfortunate record of 0-3 this year.
Kyrgios revealed that he had aggravated his wrist during practice on Tuesday but made the decision to try and play through the discomfort.
Having reached the Wimbledon finals in 2022, Kyrgios is also renowned for his unpredictable and often volatile nature, securing him a spot on many highlight reels. His peak ATP ranking stands at No. 13.
Looking ahead, Kyrgios is unsure if he will participate in the upcoming Miami tournament.
“The timeline for Miami isn’t ideal, but I planned on competing there, so I’ll assess how my wrist feels,” he stated. “If Miami doesn’t work out, I’ll keep looking forward. Dwelling on the past only brings disappointment, and I want to ensure I still find joy in this sport.”
