Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has shed light on his plans for his future in the sport, indicating that he may retire sooner than expected.
At 29, Kyrgios has been sidelined for over 15 months due to a knee injury. In a recent interview, he confirmed that he intends to continue playing for "a year or two."
“I said I didn’t want to play over 30,” he said. “When I first came on to the scene when I was 18, I said I didn’t want to play over 30 years old. I want a family, I would like a kid before 30 and I would like to have a big family and I want to be present with them. Hopefully I can build something outside of tennis as well and I can be present with my family and give them as much learning and time as possible.
“I would say probably a year or two I would be playing tennis for and I don’t want to be one of those players who fizzles out. I want to go out on my own terms and go out competing for some of the biggest tournaments in the world.
“I look at some players, not like I think it’s a bad thing, but Andy Murray and some of these great champions who were at the top of the sport, who are still at the top, but not competing for grand slams and that’s not what I want to do. I don’t love the game that much. So ideally one or two more good years and then I’ll hang up the sticks.”
Kyrgios acknowledged that he has no desire to end his career as a player who "fizzles out." He expressed his determination to retire on his own terms while still competing for major tournaments.
"I'm grateful for the opportunities tennis has given me," Kyrgios said. "But I also know that there's more to life than just playing a sport."
Kyrgios' Career Highlights
Despite his relatively short career, Kyrgios has made a significant impact on the tennis world. Known for his unconventional personality and aggressive style of play, he has captured the attention of fans worldwide.
Kyrgios has claimed notable victories over some of the greatest players of all time, including Novak Djokovic, Rafael Nadal, and Roger Federer. He reached the final of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships and has attained a career-high ranking of 13.
Despite his natural talent, Kyrgios has struggled with consistency, particularly in smaller tournaments. However, his ability to elevate his performance on the big stage has made him a formidable opponent.
Legacy and the Future
Kyrgios recognizes that he has not yet achieved his ultimate goal of winning a Grand Slam title. However, he remains optimistic about his future and believes that he has more to offer the sport.
