Nick Kyrgios, once ranked as high as No. 13 in the world and a finalist at Wimbledon in 2022, has revealed that he is considering retiring from professional tennis. The 28-year-old tennis phenom recently wrote a column for The Sydney Morning Herald, expressing his thoughts on the crossroads he finds himself in. While he still has a desire to compete, Kyrgios is increasingly drawn to pursuing a burgeoning media career, which has included commentating for ESPN and Eurosport at the Australian Open. He also has plans to launch his own talk show, “Good Trouble with Nick Kyrgios”, featuring high-profile guests such as Naomi Osaka and Gary Vaynerchuk.
Kyrgios confessed that he has been enjoying his time away from the courts, and the prospect of life after tennis excites him. Sitting down with his agent, Stuart Duguid, Kyrgios discussed his future and acknowledged the possibility that his time in the sport may be coming to an end. “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,” Kyrgios wrote.
Kyrgios has shown a natural talent for tennis commentary, garnering praise from audiences around the world. He believes he can continue to travel the world and make a good living by commentating on the sport, along with hosting his own talk show. The prospect of interviewing influential figures like Gordon Ramsay and Mike Tyson is enticing and aligns with his interests outside of tennis. Kyrgios emphasized that unlike some players whose entire lives revolve around tennis, that has never been the case for him.
Reflecting on his last full year on the tennis tour, Kyrgios highlighted his successes. In January 2022, he won the men’s doubles title at a tournament with his friend and compatriot, Thanasi Kokkinakis. He also reached his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, where he put up a strong fight against world No. 1 Novak Djokovic. Despite believing that he has the skills to be among the best in the world, Kyrgios admitted that his body has been letting him down. He is aware of the potential for winning major tournaments, but his physical condition remains a limiting factor.
Kyrgios controversially revealed that he would not be vying to represent Australia at the upcoming Paris Olympics, citing his treatment by the Australian Olympic Committee in the lead-up to the 2016 Rio Games as a significant factor in his decision. Kyrgios expressed his frustration and disappointment at being forbidden from representing his country due to behavioral reasons. Although he once had an intense desire to play in the Olympics, his mentality and priorities have shifted, leading him to no longer harbor that same passion.
As Nick Kyrgios finds himself at a career crossroads, he contemplates a future beyond professional tennis. His emerging media career, with opportunities to commentate and host his own show, brings about excitement and new possibilities. While his body’s limitations have been a source of frustration and hindered his competitive aspirations, Kyrgios looks to embrace a different avenue. Whether he ultimately retires from tennis or takes a break from the sport remains to be seen, but one thing is clear: Kyrgios is ready to embark on a new chapter in his life.
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