On Wednesday, Kyrgios seemingly alluded to – and then quickly walked back – eyeing off retirement.

Is this it for King Kyrgios? Will the conservative-minded finally be able to watch the Happy Slam without fear of a rapturous John Cain arena and unsportsmanlike underarm serves?

Sporting News has the latest.

Is Nick Kyrgios retiring?

At the moment, no.

Kyrgios has spent the Australian Open commentating and conducting on-court interviews – including whatever this delightfully random interview with Novak Djokovic is – while he prepares for a Wimbledon return and set social media speculation alight on Wednesday morning when a Fairfax article penned under his name alluded to retiring.

“I’m at a crossroads in my career and have reached a point where life after tennis is a prospect that excites me,” Kyrgios’ column says in part.

“I know I can be one of the best in the world and win major tournaments – if my body lets me. The fire still burns, but it’s not my everything.

“Sport is entertainment and I like to think that I’ve put on a show. But the curtain has to close at some point.”

So, retired or very close?

No. 

“I have woken up today and realised about some articles going around and saying that I am retired and that I’m not going to play anymore,” Kyrgios then said Wednesday afternoon on his Instagram stories.

“I just want to just clear it up, it’s absolute nonsense.

“Yes, the last year has been tough with injury, my knee, my wrist, but I’m hungry as ever, constantly rehabbing, in the gym.

“Part of the reason why I am commentating and doing all these things around AO is to still feel that fire and still be a part of it.

“So I still wanted to let everyone know, all my fans I’m coming back, stay tuned, but there’s plenty left in the tank. 

Don’t stress.”

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Why isn’t Nick Kyrgios playing at the Australian Open?

Kyrgios isn’t playing at Australian Open 2024 after using his newly-publicised OnlyFans account to announce his withdrawal because of injury.

“Hey guys, Nick Kyrgios here, obviously had a really tough year with injury, had that knee surgery and came back a little too soon (which) set me back a little bit, obviously had some wrist issues,” Kyrgios said via his OnlyFans account.

“So this is a very disappointing time for me but yeah I won’t be able to compete at the 2024 Australian Open.

“Obviously heartbreaking, I’ve had so many amazing memories there and I just want to really get back to playing at the top of my game and doing it right and I need a little more time.

“I was so close to winning a grand slam, I want to make sure that my body is going to have the time it needs to come back so please bear with me.

“Even though I won’t be there competing this year at the AO, I still will be around, commentating matches, being around, I’ve got some special things planned, so please be excited still.

“You know I’ll be there and hopefully see all the fans, I’ll see you there.”

When did Nick Kyrgios last play?

Kyrgios has only played one competitive singles match since being forced to withdraw from the quarter-final of the Japan Open with a knee injury in October 2022.

The knee complaint failed to improve throughout 2022 and Kyrgios was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open 2023 to undergo surgery.

Kyrgios targeted a return to tennis at Wimbledon 2023, but after losing to China’s Yibing Wu at a warm-up tournament in Stuttgart, he withdrew from the All-England Club with a wrist injury.

Why isn’t Nick Kyrgios playing in the Paris Olympics?

“If I am fit and ready to play, I won’t be making myself available for the Olympics,” Kyrgios’ column claims.

“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 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.”

For the full reasoning, check out Kyrgios’ article here.