‘Absolute nonsense’: Nick Kyrgios rubbishes own retirement claim

Nick Kyrgios has lashed out at the prospect of him retiring, a rumour which a column attributed to his name launched in the first place.

Nick Kyrgios has rubbished the claims. Photo: Instagram and Getty Images

Nick Kyrgios has rubbished the prospect of him retiring from tennis, a rumour which originated in a column attributed to him.

A column posted by Nine Newspapers from Kyrgios titled I’m contemplating retirement and won’t be available for the Paris Olympics, opening with the comment: “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.”

The comments sparked speculation that Kyrgios was essentially retiring from tennis, as he continued to speak about his happiness at his Australian Open commentating gig and admitting he’s “reached a point where life after tennis is a prospect that excites me”.

But the 28-year-old has shut down the speculation, taking to his Instagram Stories to set the record straight.

“Attention... I am not retiring,” he started.

“Please don’t spread this garbage. I’m coming back and will be lighting up courts soon.”

He then posted a video, writing: “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.

“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.”

Kyrgios hit out at the retirement claims. Photo: Instagram

Love him or hate him, Kyrgios is entertaining. Pic: Michael Klein

It’s a good sign for the Aussie star who was only able to play one match in the last year after suffering knee and wrist injuries.

But Kyrgios has impressed as he continues to build roles away from the sport, impressing fans with his commentary at the Australian Open, and launching his Good Trouble podcast via Naomi Osaka’s production company Hana Kuma.

In his Nine column, Kyrgios said his manager Stuart Duguid said: “This could be you from now on if you want it to be.”

“That’s a life people wish they had. Even the players on the circuit would love to be doing what I am doing now, but they have a different way of thinking,” Kyrgios wrote.

“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.

“Even over the past week being at Melbourne Park for the Australian Open, I’ve been happy. Of course, there’s a part of me watching on that would love nothing more than to be out there, especially after what I managed to do at Wimbledon 18 months ago in reaching the final against Novak Djokovic.”

Since the 2022 Wimbledon final, Kyrgios has admitted feeling the itch to win a grand slam title.

Kyrgios will be back for the winner’s trophy. Photo by SEBASTIEN BOZON / AFP

He added that “I know I can be one of the best in the world and win major tournaments – if my body lets me.”

With no return date locked in as yet as Kyrgios seeks a return to peak fitness before returning, it had been suggested he could return for the Olympics.

But the Aussie star drew a line through the idea, hitting out at his treatment before the 2016 Summer Games.

At the time, then chef de mission said Kyrgios and then world No. 22 Bernard Tomic’s behaviour was being monitored.

Kyrgios said at the time: Representing Australia at the Olympic Games has been a dream of mine since I was a kid … Unfortunately, while I have expressed every intention of trying to win a medal for my country in Rio, it’s very clear to me that the Australian Olympic Committee has other plans.”

He labelled the Australian Olympic Committee’s treatment as “unfair and unjust”, claiming the AOC had “chosen to publicly and privately disparage me”.

In his column, Kyrgios called the decision to ban him from those Olympics as “a disgrace”, and ruling out representing Australia in Paris.

“I wanted to play for my country, I can’t say that I still have that desire,” Kyrgios wrote.

“And let’s be honest, I haven’t exactly felt like Australia has wanted me to represent it either. I’ve said before, I often feel more at home away from home.”