Nick Kyrgios has dropped the biggest retirement hint yet, admitting that not playing pro tennis again is a real possibility for him.
Kyrgios, who will be turning 29 in April, had knee surgery in 2023 January. After playing just his first tournament back in June, Kyrgios sustained a wrist injury, after which he had another surgery.
Kyrgios, who hasn’t played since suffering a wrist injury in Stuttgart, is working as an analyst and commentator for Eurosport at this year’s Australian Open. Also at Melbourne Park, Kyrgios is filming episodes for a podcast he launched with Naomi Osaka’s production company Hana Kuma.
“I sat down with my agent, Stuart Duguid, a couple of days ago to talk about my future. The reality is, there is a part of me that knows my time in the sport may be over. And I’m OK with that,” Kyrgios wrote in a column for The Sydney Morning Herald.
Nick Kyrgios© Getty Images Sport – Patrick Smith
In his column, Kyrgios admitted that he has “reached a point where life after tennis is a prospect that excites me.” Also, Kyrgios confirmed that making money as a tennis analyst and commentator and doing podcasts, is something that he finds intriguing.
Kyrgios could still return to pro tennis
Even if Kyrgios returns to action this year, it will likely come during the second part of the season, when the time comes for the grass and Wimbledon. While Kyrgios is not closing the doors on playing again, he acknowledges that his body may never be the same after knee and wrist surgeries.
“I’m hoping I can recover from the wrist injury that required surgery last year in time for Wimbledon and the US Open, but that’s no guarantee. My body may never be the same again and injuries can take you down a different path than you imagined,” Kyrgios wrote.
Nick Kyrgios© Getty Images Sport – Shaun Botterill
If Kyrgios makes a comeback this year, one thing won’t be happening – the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up does not plan on representing Australia at the Paris Olympics because he feels that over the years he has been disrespected by the nation’s Olympic committee.
“One thing I will guarantee, though, is that if I am fit and ready to play, I won’t be making myself available for the Olympics,” Kyrgios wrote.
It remains to be seen if Kyrgios will play again this year or if we have seen the last of the former world No. 13.
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