After a 1092-day absence, Nick Kyrgios has to the Australian Open for what could be his last real chance at home slam glory, but it’s not going well so far.
The enigmatic Aussie has begun his 2025 Melbourne Park campaign against Brit Jacob Fearnley, who is ranked 92nd in the world, on his preferred ‘people’s court’ of John Cain Arena.
An early piece of sportsmanship from Kyrgios stunned tennis great John McEnroe on commentary.
After he appeared to overturn a call that went his way initially, telling the umpire where a ball from his opponent landed, McEnroe said: “Electronic equipment, I think, called it out. Kyrgios said it was in! Is that possible?”
Kyrgios began to show signs of the abdominal strain which saw him withdraw from an exhibition last week midway through the opening set, reaching at his gut and shaking his head as he walked off court after holding for 4-3.
“I think it is bugging Kyrgios that the guy serving almost as hard as him,” McEnroe said.
“You can hear him muttering, ‘I could serve 230 if I was healthy. I’m serving 175’.”
Todd Woodbridge added: “I heard Nick say there ‘I can’t serve, what do you want me to do?’”
Fearnley’s serve proved the strongest of the two, winning the opening set in a tiebreak 7-6(3), with Kyrgios angrily spraying his own team during and after the breaker.
“I can’t f***ing serve… just like I told you,” he yelled.
“Just keep serving, right? I’m here now. I’m here now so I may as well just keep serving, pretty much.”
He then seemed to sarcastically quip: “Lucky I can serve my way out of this one.”
Kyrgios then quickly trailed 3-0 in the second set and twice received medical attention for his abs, looking unhappy in discussions with a pair of medicos at the break while trailing 5-2 but continuing on.
Failing to earn a single break point off Fearnley’s impressive serve, the Aussie found himself both hurt and down 7-6(3) 6-3.
“No doubt but he can pull the people but the problem is two years away from the game is a long time. That what he’s finding hard here tonight,” Todd Woodbridge said on commentary.
“It’s coming back at the highest level, Grand Slam level. That intensity is amplified. If he had more time, it would have been better to get four or five tournaments under the belt before getting to here but that’s the reality.
“And the reality is that he’s got a whole year to be able to do that now, as long as he can find ways to keep the body in one piece.”
