Australian Open: 'Absolute nonsense' - Nick Kyrgios says tennis retirement speculation 'garbage'
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Published 24/01/2024 at 08:45 GMT
Nick Kyrgios admitted in an interview in the Australian press this week that he was at a "crossroads" in his career and that "life after tennis is a prospect that excites me". However, the 28-year-old has now clarified that he is not going to retire any time soon. He has said on social media that he is coming back and there is "plenty left in the tank" as he sought to reassure his fans.
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Nick Kyrgios, speaking while at the Australian Open, has clarified that he is not planning on retiring from tennis, saying the idea is "absolute nonsense" and he is as "hungry as ever".
The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up has played just one match since the start of last year due to injuries. He is working as a commentator for Eurosport at the Australian Open as he continues to rehab and try to get back to full health.
It is not known when he will return to action, and in an interview with The Age he said he was at a “crossroads” in his career and might look to continue pursuing other options away from tennis.
“It’s a conversation that needed to be had. I’m at a crossroads in my career and have reached a point where life after tennis is a prospect that excites me,” said the 28-year-old.
“It’s why my manager brought it up. He said, ‘This could be you from now on if you want it to be’.
"I could travel the world making really good money commentating on the sport, doing things like I am now with my talk show interviewing guys like Gordon Ramsay and Mike Tyson.
“That’s a life people wish they had. Even the players on the circuit would love to be doing what I am doing now, but they have a different way of thinking.”
Kyrgios also said in the interview that "there is a part of me that knows my time in the sport may be over. And I’m okay with that".
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However, he has now followed up by making it clear that he is not planning on stepping away from tennis.
“Attention…I am not retiring,” he wrote on Instagram.
“Please don’t spread this garbage. I’m coming back and will be lighting up courts soon.
“I have woken up today and realised about some articles going around and saying that I am retired and that I’m not going to play anymore.
“I just want to just clear it up, it’s absolute nonsense.
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“Yes, the last year has been tough with injury, my knee, my wrist, but I’m hungry as ever, constantly rehabbing, in the gym.
“Part of the reason why I am commentating and doing all these things around AO is to still feel that fire and still be a part of it.
“So I still wanted to let everyone know, all my fans I’m coming back, stay tuned, but there’s plenty left in the tank. Don’t stress.”
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