Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios says he is “considering retirement” and is no longer interested in representing his country at the Olympics.
Writing in Nine newspaper on Wednesday, Kyrgios said he was reviewing his sporting career after missing a year with knee and wrist injuries.
“The reality is, deep down I know my time in this sport is probably over. I’m fine with that,” he wrote.
“I’m at a crossroads in my career and the prospect of life after tennis excites me. I know I can become one of the best players in the world and win major tournaments – if my body allows me. The fire is still burning, But that’s not all I am.”
The former world number 13 said he could “travel around the world and make a lot of money commentating on the sport, like I am now interviewing Gordon Ramsay and Mike Ty on talk shows Just like people like Mori.”
Kyrgios said his life is another life that people want to have, “even players on tour are willing to do what I’m doing now.”
The former Wimbledon finalist also announced that even if healthy, he would not represent Australia at the Paris Olympics.
“One thing I can guarantee…I will not allow myself to compete in the Olympics.
“I want to play for my country, but I can’t say I still have that desire. To be honest, I don’t feel Australia wants me to represent it either. I’ve said before that I often feel at home.”
Kyrgios has lashed out at his exclusion from the 2016 Rio Olympics, criticizing the way he was treated by the Australian Olympic Committee and former delegation chief Kitty Chiller.
“They banned me from representing my country for behavioral reasons and it’s something I can’t forget.”
In the run-up to the Rio Olympics, Keeler said Kyrgios’ behavior on and off the court showed he didn’t “understand what it means to be an Australian Olympian”.
Kyrgios said on Wednesday he was “hopeful” he would be able to recover from his wrist injury in time for Wimbledon and the U.S. Open, “but there’s no guarantee”.
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“Sports are entertainment, and I like to think I’m performing. But the curtain will close one day,” he wrote.
Kyrgios has been working as a commentator at this year’s Australian Open and received a shout-out from world number one Novak Djokovic following his quarter-final win over Taylor Fritz on Tuesday night. Post-match interview.
Full post-match interview with Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic.
“By the way, I never thought I’d be here,” Nick said.
It’s thought to be the first time a current player has interviewed another player on the field. After such a high-profile match… pic.twitter.com/uIWiSB03ji
— Jose Morgado (@josemorgado) January 23, 2024
Djokovic said Kyrgios “looked good in the stands” but said he hoped to see him on the pitch again.
“It’s nice to see you, it looked good in that booth but it looks better here and hopefully I’ll have a racket soon too,” said the Serbian player.
Kyrgios said late last year that he was “burned out” and no longer wanted to play. But he said he plans to return to competition in a few years so he can go out on his “own terms.”
