Nick Kyrgios says he “probably” played singles for the last time at the Australian Open after suffering a first-round defeat to Britain’s Jacob Fearnley in Melbourne.

Home favourite Kyrgios, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist, was handicapped by an abdominal strain as Fearnley prevailed 7-6 (7-3) 6-3 7-6 (7-2) in two hours and 19 minutes on Monday.

Kyrgios, 29, was roared on by a partisan crowd as he played in his first Grand Slam since the 2022 US Open after recovering from chronic wrist and hip injuries.

“Realistically I can’t really see myself probably playing singles again here, so it was special,” Kyrgios said. “Like taking that in, it was pretty good.

“I didn’t want to just throw in the towel and walk off or retire. I was hurting physically. I respect my opponent. The fans waited hours to come see me play.

“Realistically I can’t see myself playing a singles match here again.”

Kyrgios plans to play doubles at Australian Open

Despite his injury, Kyrgios said he still intends to enter the doubles alongside compatriot and close friend Thanasi Kokkinakis, who defied his own physical issues to win his first-round match on Monday.

“Yeah, me and Thanasi, I think we owe it to each other to go out there and play,” said Kyrgios, who won the 2022 doubles title in Melbourne alongside Kokkinakis.

“Obviously, I know that he’s a physical wreck most of the time, but he somehow pushes through. Props to him for getting through his match today.

“Yeah, but I guess we will play doubles. I’ll play doubles.”

While suggesting that 2025 is likely to be his final year on the tour competing in singles, Kyrgios said he remains confident that he can “make some noise” at Wimbledon, if he is healthy when the grass-court tournament begin at the end of June.

He said: “100 per cent, I’ll play the Grand Slams. I’ve got my protected ranking.

“Obviously, Wimbledon is a big one for me. I still feel like obviously, if I don’t have an abdominal strain, I feel when I sustained that five days before a Grand Slam, it’s not ideal.

“Hopefully, if my body’s feeling good, I’ll be able to make some noise at Wimbledon.”

Fearnley: Probably the best match of my career

Fearnley had admitted to feeling anxious about playing Kyrgios on Australian soil, acknowledging that the Melbourne crowd would be against him.

The world No 92 was seeking to take another huge step in his second Grand Slam – the 23-year-old lost to Novak Djokovic in the second round at Wimbledon last year – following a spectacular rise through the rankings.

Kyrgios saved two break points at 3-3 in the first set, but a couple of grimaces revealed his inner turmoil and the Australian began suggesting that he should not be playing through the pain barrier.

Fearnley was unruffled as Kyrgios’ complaints grew louder and the language directed at his team courtside became more colourful.

The British No 3 dominated the tie-break with a series of explosive forehand winners and it was the same script in the second set.

The Scot broke early and Kyrgios’ discomfort was clear as he twice called for medical assistance during game breaks.

Kyrgios told his team at the end of the second set that he would “keep going until I can’t anymore”.

The end looked nigh when Kyrgios missed a routine volley at the net and Fearnley broke for a 2-1 lead in the third set.

But Kyrgios broke back for 3-3 before an underarm serve and a spot of showboating got the John Cain Arena crowd on its feet.

Amid see-saw drama Fearnley had break points in successive games and Kyrgios despite requiring more medical attention, had a set point when 5-4 ahead.

None were taken before Fearnley finally broke Kyrgios’ resistance in a one-sided tie-break.

Asked whether it was the best display of his career, Fearnley said: “It is definitely up there. I think, all things considered, it is probably my best match – yes.

“I was extremely nervous before the match and I didn’t get too much sleep. I knew it was going to be a rowdy match. I thought I played good.

“I’m sorry for Nick, I knew he was dealing with some stuff but he played some unbelievable tennis and I thought it was a great match.”

Fearnley will face unseeded Frenchman Arthur Cazaux in the second round, after the world No 78 upset Argentine 28th seed Sebastian Baez in a five-set comeback win.

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