Nick Kyrgios could not make a run at his home Major in Melbourne. To make things even worse, the home favorite is not sure he will compete at this event again in singles, hinting at a possible retirement later this year.
Competing on 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 in the first Australian Open round. Kyrgios played only one match in 2023 and 2024, dealing with injuries and surgeries.
He worked hard last year to make a comeback in 2025 and entered Brisbane and the Australian Open. However, the former Major finalist injured his abdominal muscle, experiencing another setback and playing below his best in Melbourne.
Nick Kyrgios fa impazzire la John Cain Arena così 🤯🤯🤯#EurosportTENNIS #Tennis #AusOpen #AO2025 pic.twitter.com/Qggt56jw8Z
— Eurosport IT (@Eurosport_IT) January 13, 2025
Nick gave everything on his beloved John Cain Arena, refusing to surrender after the opening set and giving the partisan crowd over two hours of tennis. However, the Aussie experienced complicated feelings during the match, thinking about his body instead of his shots!
That’s not tennis Kyrgios wants to play, admitting this could be his last Australian Open singles match. Nick reached two tie breaks against Jacob, but this was not his finest serving performance. He called the doctors for his troubled abdominal in the second set.
Nick Kyrgios & Jacob Fearnley, Australian Open 2025© Stream screenshot
The Aussie also struggled to increase the pace of his initial shot, drastically reducing his chances for a positive outcome. Carried by the partisan crowd, Kyrgios found a new injection of pace in the third set despite all the issues.
He created a set point on the return and missed a chance to prolong the battle. Fearnley fought better in both tie breaks and sealed the deal in straight sets for his first Australian Open win. The Briton faced three break points and got broken once.
He fired 46 winners and 27 unforced errors and kept the pressure on Nick after generating 11 break points. The Aussie saved nine but failed to take the pivotal points and extend the duel. Jacob missed two break points in 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 boost. Nick would have retired from any other event but not in Melbourne and John Cain Arena! Fearnley secured an early break in the second set and served well, moving two sets to love in front after an hour and 18 minutes.
Jacob broke early in the third set for a 3-1 lead before Nick stepped in on the return in game six, locking the result at 3-3. Kyrgios erased a break point in game nine and generated a set point at 5-4. Fearnley saved it with a forehand winner and held for 5-5.
The Aussie saved a break point in the 11th game and stayed in touch. The set went into a tie break, and Kyrgios fell 6-1 behind. The Briton landed a deep return on the second set point at 6-2, sending the home player packing.
Was this Nick’s final Australian Open match? It’s hard to say at the moment, but he at least gave the crowd something 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 said.
Tennis World USA