Kyrgios shuts down retirement rumours

Nick Kyrgios has dismissed rumours that he was planning on retiring soon. The Australian tennis player clarified comments attributed to him in a newspaper column, stating that he is not retiring and intends to come back to competitive tennis. Kyrgios, who has battled injuries, emphasised his commitment to returning to the sport, refuting reports that he was considering retirement.

Speaking recently in an interview with Eurosport, Kyrgios addressed the situation, explaining that the column was based on an interview he did and not something he wrote himself. He expressed frustration with media spin and emphasized that he is not new to such situations, but he needed to clear up the retirement rumors.

The 28-year-old player, known for his on-court antics, has been working as a commentator and pundit during his recovery from knee and wrist injuries. Despite facing setbacks, Kyrgios affirmed his determination to return to tennis, pointing out his protected ranking of 21 in singles and 11 in doubles.

In the same column, Kyrgios revealed that he is not interested in representing Australia at the 2024 Olympics in Paris. He cited previous issues with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) and former Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller, referencing being banned from the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games for behavioral reasons. Kyrgios expressed his disappointment with the AOC’s decision, stating that he can’t forget how he was treated.

He said: “One thing I will guarantee, though, is that if I am fit and ready to play, I won’t be making myself available for the Olympics. The way I was treated by the Australian Olympic Committee and former Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller will never be forgotten.

“To ban me from playing at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games was a disgrace. I was [world] No. 13 at the time and had a genuine chance at winning a medal.

“For them to forbid me from representing my country for behavioural reasons is something that I just can’t forget.”

The Australian tennis star, who has won seven ATP Tour titles, acknowledged a change in mentality, indicating that his desire to represent Australia at the Olympics has diminished. Kyrgios highlighted feeling more at home away from home and expressed a shift in his perspective over the years.

Kyrgios’ views prompted a response from the AOC, who stated that every athlete is entitled to make their own decisions about their playing futures, and those decisions are respected. Kyrgios’s relationship with the Australian team has been marked by disciplinary issues and on-court behavior, leading to caution from officials in the past.

Leon Osamor