Nick Krygios admits "drinking and partying" has accelerated retirement plan

27 July 2023 , 18:05

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Nick Kyrgios is already talking about when he'll retire (Image: Getty Images)

Nick Krygios concedes all the "drinking and partying" means he won't be playing tennis in five years time.

The Australian has been one of the sport's most divisive characters for years, but has begun to perform more consistently of late. Krygios though doesn't have a coach and, even during Grand Slams, has been spotted down the pub the day before a match.

That lifestyle is set to take its toll with the 28-year-old already dismissing the idea of emulating the likes of Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal and Roger Federer, who were all winning Grand Slams in their late 30s. Krygios also suggested once he walks away from the sport he will become very private.

He said at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Los Angeles: "No f****** chance. No way. Bro, there's no chance I'm playing until 33. Kyrgios playing until 33 is insane. I'm not playing until 33.

"Nah, I promise you, when I'm gone, you'll never see me again."

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Krygios also joked about his physical age, adding: "The schedule is out of control. I'm getting old, I'm getting old. Twenty eight, yeah - but all the drinking and partying, I'm like 57."

Kyrgios has only played one game this year, pulling out of Wimbledon late in the day, after struggling through injury. He reached his first Grand Slam final just over 12 months ago, losing to Djokovic at the All-England club in four sets.

Nick Kyrgios doesn't believe he'll play for another five years (CameraSport via Getty Images)

The Australian believes that achievement shows he can mix it with the best, but is aware of the dedication it took.

He added: "It's a lot of training, a lot of work, and I just want to be able to eat whatever I want, drink what I want to drink. It's a hard lifestyle. The dedication these guys show... I did a bit of that last year to show the world I'm still one of the best."

Advances in sport science and recovery is allowing athletes to play on for longer, but Kyrgios seemingly has no plans to do so. He won the Australian Open, his home slam, as a junior, but has been unable to bring that form into the men's game.

He still very much has the ambition to claim one of the sport's four elite tournaments, but will call time if he does. "Hopefully I can win a [grand] slam and retire"' he said in December last year. "It seems the better you do, everyone wants a bit more of you and it becomes more stressful."

Samuel Meade