Nick Kyrgios announces his retirement plan: "I'm 28 but from alcohol and parties I look 57"

Nick Kyrgios

When he was starting out, Nick Kyrgios was one of the biggest talents in tennis. Nine years ago, he beat Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon; in 2016, he reached No. 13 in the world ranking; and, from his tennis career to date, he has earned $12.5 million.

The Greek-Australian, one of the best servers in the world, over the years became the "bad boy" of tennis. He played without a coach, had new girlfriends like he changes shirts, and has now stated that he drank alcohol and took drugs.

The result of all this was that he fell into depression and visited a psychiatric clinic in London.

The tennis star won the Australian Open doubles title in 2022 and reached the Wimbledon singles final. There he lost to Novak Djokovic and lost a huge opportunity to make his dream come true.

Kyrgios was at the Ultimate Tennis Showdown in Los Angeles, however, as the American hard court season kickstarts, and was asked whether he would consider playing deep into his thirties like Roger Federer, Rafa Nadal, Novak Djokovic and Andy Murray.

"No f****** chance. No way. Bro, there's no chance I'm playing until 33,” he replied. “Kyrgios playing until 33 is insane. I'm not playing until 33," he said.

"Nah, I promise you, when I'm gone, you'll never see me again. The schedule is out of control. I'm getting old, I'm getting old. 28, yeah - but all the drinking and partying, I'm like 57."

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=P0dKBZNzxog

Last year Kyrgios opened up on his love for partying, admitting he's known to drink up to 17 shots of alcohol in a night and “can’t walk for three days” in New York after a night out. After reaching the Wimbledon final last year he went viral on social media for his well-documented celebrations in the capital.

He was defeated in four sets by Djokovic in his first Grand Slam final, but then went on to admit at the start of the year that he would retire if he won a Major singles title.

"100 per cent! It is a lot of training and a lot of work,” he said in January ahead of the Australian Open. "I just want to be able to eat whatever I want and drink what I want to drink, and just relax. It is a hard lifestyle.

"The dedication that these guys show day in and day out... I did a bit of that last year and had a great year to show that I am still one of the best. "I am going to try and do it this year, and hopefully I can do it, but it will be hard."

Kyrgios has often polarised opinion in the tennis world but those who have enjoyed what he has brought to the game are running the risk of seeing him depart sooner than they would have liked after his recent revelation.

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