Kyrgios Hints at Retirement as Comeback Looms

While Nick Kyrgios assures fans he's aiming for a return at the Australian Open, a recent Instagram post has ignited speculation about his retirement plans.

Sidelined for almost 500 days with knee and wrist injuries, the Wimbledon 2022 finalist last swung a racket in anger on June 13, 2023, losing to Yibing Wu. Doubts lingered about his return to competitive tennis, but Kyrgios, in a recent Instagram live, confirmed his Australian Open aspirations, hinting at warm-up events beforehand.

However, a cryptic Instagram post shortly after has fueled retirement rumors.

"Tennis … damn … it’s been A CRAZY JOURNEY!!!!" he wrote, "FOREVER GRATEFUL. I love all my FANS. There are only a few chapters left." This sparked immediate reactions from fans, with one commenting, "Go out with a bang and on your terms Kygs, excited to see what’s up your sleeve.”

Kyrgios' road to recovery saw him participate in the UTS event in New York in August, where he surprisingly triumphed over Casper Ruud. “I wasn’t expecting to play this well at all,” he admitted, acknowledging the grueling 11 months of rehab. "It was literally conversations of never playing again.”

Despite his absence from the court, Kyrgios has remained a vocal figure in the tennis world, leveraging his platforms and ESPN commentary role.

He recently criticized the ITIA's decision against banning Jannik Sinner, who tested positive for a banned anabolic steroid twice.

While Kyrgios seems determined to make a comeback, his recent statements suggest his time on the court may be nearing its end. Only time will tell what the final chapters hold for the enigmatic Australian star.