Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has said his appearance in the Laver Cup this year could be the last one he makes as he ponders his future in the sport at the age of 26.
The former top 20 player lost in straight sets to Stefanos Tsitsipas on the second day of the competition where Team Europe won all four of their matches. Kyrgios also took part in the doubles alongside John Isner which he also lost. Since Wimbledon, the world No.95 has only managed to win one out of six matches played on the Tour.
Speaking to reporters on Saturday, Kyrgios confirmed that he will not be playing again this season and will head home to spend time with his family. Revealing that his mother is currently unwell but he didn’t elaborate any further.
“This is my last event of the year. I need to go back home. I have been travelling for four-and-a-half months now. My mum is not doing too well with her health. I’d like to go back and see her,” said Kyrgios.
“Obviously the conditions in Australia aren’t ideal at the moment (due to the pandemic), but I don’t want to be on the road playing tennis when I want to spend time with my family.’
“I feel like I’m not one of those players now that’s going to go hunting for points or hunting for accolades or anything like that. I feel like I have nothing left to prove to myself. I’m incredibly proud of what I have achieved.”
The Laver Cup was only the eighth event Kyrgios has played this season and the sixth outside of his home country. Between February and June he didn’t play a tournament due to not wanting to travel due to the COVID-19 pandemic. He has also suffered some injury setbacks in 2021. He reached the third round at Wimbledon before having to retire from his match with an abdominal problem.
Following what has been a rollercoaster journey, a candidly-speaking Kyrgios acknowledged that he doesn’t know how much longer he will be playing on the Tour despite his talent. A former world No.1 in the juniors, he broke into the world’s top 50 for the first time at the age of 19 before achieving his career ranking best of 13th a year later.
“This is about my eighth year on tour. I feel like I have been around for a long, long time. You can see the Zverevs and Thiems and all that, I was on tour before these guys,” he said.
“I have not had a long career, but for me I always wanted to come on tour to beat the best players, show my personality, and then create a platform where I was able to help others. I feel like that’s what I have done.’
“Where I go from here, everything’s a bonus. I’m playing Laver Cup again, and I’m not going to lie, I think this is my last year I will probably play Laver Cup. There is an amazing amount of talent around the world and amazing personalities.’
The immediate plan for Kyrgios is to spend time with his family before getting ready to play in his ninth Australian Open main draw. He will then ‘reassess’ what he will do in the longer term.
“I will try and give my best, but I’m not going to lie and say that I’m going to plan to play four or five more years on tour. That’s just not me.” He stated.
Kyrgios has won six ATP titles and has earned more than $8.9M in prize money so far in his career.
