Tennis greats Lleyton Hewitt, Todd Woodbridge urge Nick Kyrgios to reconsider retirement plans

Nick Kyrgios has fuelled rumours that he is hurtling towards retirement – but a trio of Australian greats have urged him to pump the brakes before he calls an early end to his career.

Lleyton Hewitt says Nick Kyrgios is only at the “start of his comeback” as doubles great Todd Woodbridge urged the Australian star to “keep playing” to build stamina for more grand slam campaigns amid doubt over his tennis future.

After losing in straight sets in his grand slam comeback against Britain’s Jacob Fearnley in the opening round on Monday night, Kyrgios fuelled retirement talk when he suggested he might not play singles again at the Australian Open.

Having battled an abdominal injury he suffered on the eve of the tournament, the 29-year-old questioned whether his body would allow him to remain competitive.

The playing future of Kyrgios, who remains a box-office drawcard, was a talking point on Tuesday when Australian greats weighed in.

“That was reality last night,” Woodbridge said on Channel 9. “He was never going to have a great tournament.

“We want him to keep playing, build some stamina, some matches so he can get to Wimbledon, where he is a contender, and be fit, healthy and back up all the tour.”

Nick Kyrgios said he couldn’t see himself playing singles at Melbourne Park in the future. Picture: Michael Klein

Australian Davis Cup captain Hewitt has named Kyrgios in his squad for the first time in five years for the tie against Sweden this month – most likely to play in the doubles.

“At this stage it was more looking to play doubles,” Hewitt said.

“So that is the main focus for the Davis Cup at this stage but to have him back in the team, this is only the start of his comeback.”

Jelena Dokic also urged patience and said it was going to take Kyrgios time to get back to full fitness following his extended injury break.

“Let’s not forget, it hasn’t been a six-month break, it has been one match in almost two-and-a-half years. That’s massive,” Dokic said.

“The game has moved on, whereas he almost has to come from zero.

“You can’t go into just now playing big tournaments and grand slams every week.

“He is going to potentially play just doubles, play smaller tournaments and put in a year or two of work and really be patient.”

Originally published as Tennis greats Lleyton Hewitt, Todd Woodbridge urge Nick Kyrgios to reconsider retirement plans