Nick Kyrgios couldn’t make a run at his dwelling Main in Melbourne. To make issues even worse, the house favourite shouldn’t be certain he’ll compete at this occasion once more in singles, hinting at a potential retirement later this 12 months.
Competing on essentially the most notable scene after over 800 days, the Aussie fell to Jacob Fearnley 7-6, 6-3, 7-6 in two hours and 19 minutes within the first Australian Open spherical. Kyrgios performed just one match in 2023 and 2024, coping with accidents and surgical procedures.
He labored exhausting final 12 months to make a comeback in 2025 and entered Brisbane and the Australian Open. Nevertheless, the previous Main finalist injured his belly muscle, experiencing one other setback and taking part in under his greatest in Melbourne.
Nick Kyrgios fa impazzire la John Cain Area così 🤯🤯🤯#EurosportTENNIS #Tennis #AusOpen #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/Qggt56jw8Z
— Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) January 13, 2025
Nick gave the whole lot on his beloved John Cain Area, refusing to give up after the opening set and giving the partisan crowd over two hours of tennis. Nevertheless, the Aussie skilled sophisticated emotions in the course of the match, fascinated by his physique as an alternative of his photographs!
That is not tennis Kyrgios needs to play, admitting this may very well be his final Australian Open singles match. Nick reached two tie breaks in opposition to Jacob, however this was not his most interesting serving efficiency. He known as the docs for his troubled belly within the second set.
Nick Kyrgios & Jacob Fearnley, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Aussie additionally struggled to extend the tempo of his preliminary shot, drastically lowering his possibilities for a optimistic consequence. Carried by the partisan crowd, Kyrgios discovered a brand new injection of tempo within the third set regardless of all the problems.
He created a set level on the return and missed an opportunity to lengthen the battle. Fearnley fought higher in each tie breaks and sealed the deal in straight units for his first Australian Open win. The Briton confronted three break factors and acquired damaged as soon as.
He fired 46 winners and 27 unforced errors and stored the strain on Nick after producing 11 break factors. The Aussie saved 9 however did not take the pivotal factors and lengthen the duel. Jacob missed two break factors within the first set, and it reached a tie break.
Nick Kyrgios, Australian Open 2025 © Stream screenshot
The Briton claimed two mini-breaks at 2-1 and claimed the breaker 7-3 for a lift. Nick would have retired from every other occasion however not in Melbourne and John Cain Area! Fearnley secured an early break within the second set and served nicely, shifting two units to like in entrance after an hour and 18 minutes.
Jacob broke early within the third set for a 3-1 lead earlier than Nick stepped in on the return in sport six, locking the end result at 3-3. Kyrgios erased a break level in sport 9 and generated a set level at 5-4. Fearnley saved it with a forehand winner and held for 5-5.
The Aussie saved a break level within the eleventh sport and stayed in contact. The set went right into a tie break, and Kyrgios fell 6-1 behind. The Briton landed a deep return on the second set level at 6-2, sending the house participant packing.
Was this Nick’s closing Australian Open match? It is exhausting to say in the intervening time, however he at the least gave the group one thing to cheer about.
Nick Kyrgios, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
“I refused just to throw in the towel and walk off. I struggled physically but could not retire, respecting my opponent and fans who waited hours to see me play. Realistically, I can not see myself playing a singles match at the Australian Open again!
I tried because of the fans. That’s why I walked out without headphones, as I wanted to hear the crowd and enjoy those special moments. It’s tough when you struggle physically at the biggest tournaments.
However, the year has just started, and I hope to do some cool things in the remaining months of 2025. I did not play a match at Majors for over 800 days. Still, I kept motivated and worked hard on the court and gym.
Instead of enjoying and thinking about strokes and tactics, I have to manage my body. It hurts me too much, and it’s not tennis I like to play. I served below 200 km/h tonight, and I’m not a threat without my initial shot. I knew there was no chance for my abdominal to improve.
The crowd stood behind me tonight, and that’s the reason I did not retire after the opening set. I wanted to give them two and a half hours of tennis, not a retirement,” Nick Kyrgios mentioned.
