24 January 2024 , 09:04
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Nick Kyrgios has slammed claims he is retiring, despite the reports seemingly being sparked by the Australian himself.
The 28-year-old played just one match last season and failed to feature in a Grand Slam event. He has also not been taking part in this year's Australian Open as a player, instead working at the tournament as a TV commentator.
A knee injury and a wrist problem ruined his season last year, having reached his first-ever Grand Slam final at Wimbledon in 2022. He has also had success in doubles tournaments, winning at the Australian Open in 2022.
Kyrgios has now fallen off the ATP Tour rankings, with his last win coming back in 2022. Early on Wednesday morning, a column penned by Kyrgios for the Sydney Morning Herald was published, in which he appeared to hint at retirement.
"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," he wrote.
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"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. I could travel the world making really good money commentating on the sport.
"Even the players on the circuit would love to be doing what I am doing now, but they have a different way of thinking. They don’t have the global reach that I do. Otherwise, they would be doing it too. Their entire world revolves around playing tennis, and that’s never been me."
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Kyrgios played just one match in 2022 (Getty Images)Kyrgios has quickly performed a U-turn on the sentiments he expressed in that article though. The Aussie star has insisted any suggestions that he is set to retire are "absolute nonsense" and he has no intention of giving up playing.
“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," he said in a video on Instagram stories.
“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.”
He added in a written post on his story: “Attention. I am not retiring. Please don’t spread this garbage. I’m coming back and will be lighting up courts soon!”
The tournament in Melbourne is entering its final stages, with Daniil Medvedev beating Hubert Hurkacz 7-6 (7-6) 2-6 6-3 5-7 6-4 to reach last four on Wednesday. Reigning Wimbledon champion Carlos Alcaraz will be looking to do the same when he takes on Alexander Zverev.