Kyrgios the crowd favorite who announced his partnership with Venus Williams in mixed doubles left the Wimbledon 2021 challenge wreathing in abdominal pain.
In a media briefing after announcing his withdrawal from the tournament “I got here, I did what I could. I battled through,” he said. “My body just wasn’t where it needed to be to continue to play at this level and beat these quality players. He’s 15 in the world. I’m making the guy look pretty average in the first set and I haven’t played a tournament in six months.
Talking about his game Nicholas Kyrgios said that there is enough energy to go on, My confidence is high as ever. I was devastated. I’m enjoying myself. Going from the bad boy of tennis, to now one of the crowd favourites. I knew they wanted me to keep playing. I tried to give everything I absolutely could.”
The other tragic news that fans will be disappointed is that Kyrgios would have to tell Venus Williams he could not continue with their mixed doubles partnership that was also enthralling the crowds at the All England Club. “It’s heartbreaking,” he said.
The performances of Nick Kyrgios – on and off the court – have been one of the most enjoyable aspects of the first week here, the Australian thrilling the crowds with his swashbuckling style. Unfortunately, though, they will have to wait until next year to see more after the 26-year-old was forced to quit two sets into his third-round match with Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada.
Kyrgios had not played between the Australian Open and arriving for Wimbledon, choosing to stay away from the bubbles and the tournaments with few or no fans because of the Covid-19 pandemic.
Perhaps inevitably, his lack of preparation came back to haunt him as he retired with an abdominal injury, having won the first set 6-2 before losing the second 6-1. This was not the Kyrgios who at times has looked uninterested in tennis and who has cut a controversial figure with some of his on-court antics. Here he tried, hard, and had his body not given out, he might have gone on to do something truly special.
“I got here, I did what I could. I battled through,” he said. “My body just wasn’t where it needed to be to continue to play at this level and beat these quality players. He’s 15 in the world. I’m making the guy look pretty average in the first set and I haven’t played a tournament in six months. So my game is there. My confidence is high as ever. I was devastated. I’m enjoying myself. Going from the bad boy of tennis, to now one of the crowd favourites. I knew they wanted me to keep playing. I tried to give everything I absolutely could.”
His opponent Felix said “Sorry for Nick, he was playing so good in the first set. It’s really unfortunate in front of a packed crowd,” he continued. “I think there were big expectations for this match, we were hoping to put on a good show. I hope it’s not too serious and he’s back on the US swing.”
