Nick Kyrgios addresses ‘retirement call’ after tough Australian Open Round 1 loss to Jacob Fearnley

Nick Kyrgios fell to a disappointing 6(3)-7, 3-6, 6(2)-7 defeat against Jacob Fearnley in the first round of the Australian Open.

Nick Kyrgios addresses ‘retirement call’ after tough Australian Open Round 1 loss to Jacob Fearnley

Nick Kyrgios (via X)

Nick Kyrgios continued his frustrating quest for his first singles win in the 2025 season after exiting the Australian Open on Monday. The Aussie failed to overcome British star Jacob Fearnley in the first round of the competition. Following the defeat, he teased about retirement from the sport after struggling on the court.

The 29-year-old, who was making his first appearance at a Grand Slam event since the 2022 US Open, called for the physio twice in the second set because of an abdominal injury. It was the same issue that forced him not to play in the exhibition match with Novak Djokovic ahead of the Australian Open.

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However, Kyrgios showed strong character despite his struggles. He played his best tennis with the home crowd always rousing him following every point win. He was rewarded in the third round after winning three consecutive games to lead 3-1 but was unable to build on that streak as the British produced a composed finish to win 7-6(3), 6-3, 7-6(2) in two hours and 18 minutes.

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Later on during the press conference, Kyrgios hinted about retiring from the sport. The 2022 Wimbledon finalist said that he doesn’t see himself playing at the Australian Open singles again following the defeat.

Yeah, it was special. Like taking that in. It was pretty good. It was good, yeah. So yeah, I mean, look, I knew that I have doubles, so I kind of was taking everything in tonight in those moments. It was, yeah, nuts. I didn’t want to just throw in the towel and walk off or retire. I was hurting physically. I respect my opponent. The fans waited hours to come to see me play. Yeah, I mean, realistically I can’t see myself playing a singles match here again.

Nick Kyrgios via Australian Open Press

Fearnley’s win over Kyrgios was his first at the Australian Open, and he will take on French Arthur Cazaux in the second round. The British star’s meteoric rise in the ATP rankings will see him reach a new career-high of No. 81.

Nick Kyrgios reveals the Grand Slam event he aims to “make some noise” after Australian Open exit

Nick Kyrgios began his comeback campaign at the Brisbane International, where he exited the singles after losing in straight sets to French Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. The former World No.13 was away from the court for over two years after undergoing several surgeries in 2023.

Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios (via ATP)

Despite his disappointing defeat against Jacob Fearnley at the Australian Open, the Aussie revealed another Grand Slam event he’s looking to be at his best physically. His best Grand Slam run came at Wimbledon in 2022, where he finished as runners-up.

Hopefully, if my body’s feeling good, I’ll be able to make some noise at Wimbledon. But I tried to do the best I could with the state I was in physically. Obviously heartbreaking because, yeah, I obviously wanted to play well. I feel like my level’s there.

Nick Kyrgios said (H/T: ATP)

Kyrgios will play in the doubles of the Australian Open alongside his friend Thanasi Kokkinakis. The duo will play Aleksandar Vukic and James Duckworth in the first round on Wednesday (15 January).