Nick Kyrgios "heartbroken" over injury struggles

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Nick Kyrgios described his victory at Kooyong as equal parts amazing and heart-breaking as he struggles to come to terms with the idea of not playing at the level he once did.

Earlier this month, Kyrgios confirmed he would not contest the men’s singles at the forthcoming Australian Open because he knows his body could not withstand the demands and recovery that comes with potential five set matches on hard courts.

He will play doubles with Thanasi Kokkinakis with whom he won the title in 2022, but after an injury-ravaged year, there was a sadness to the 30-year-old star after his 6-3, 4-6, 11-9 win over China’s Zhang Zhizhen

“In some sense it’s amazing and in the other sense it’s a bit heart-breaking cause I know that I’m not really able to go out there and do what I used to do,” he said.

“It’s amazing to have all of these young kids and fans coming out here and I guess it’s still a big part of why I still come out here and trying to put on a show.

“The atmosphere out here was nuts … and if I didn’t have this I don’t know what else I’d do.

“I’ve got a lot of other things going on off the court but there’s no feeling like this.”

There is no doubt Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will have full crowds when they take to the court at Melbourne Park next week, but with injury clouds over them both, fans will do well to get to their matches early on.

Kyrgios said he had engaged in good conversations with Craig Tiley regarding his decision not to play singles and that he had the full support and understanding of Tennis Australia.

Veteran of the sport and confirmed to be playing his final season, Stan Wawrinka was given Kyrgios’ wildcard, a worth recipient according to the Aussie.

“Someone like Stan, who’s played three or four competitive matches in the United Cup, all at a super high level, there’s absolutely no doubt in my mind that he deserves it,” Kyrgios said.

“And it just wouldn’t be fair like of me to have so many doubts physically to go out there and play some of the best players in the world in the best of five and not even sure that I could back up one round, like it’s just not fair.

“So I mean I think Stan completely deserves a wildcard and obviously some of the other Aussies as well and I’m going look at still playing doubles and hopefully a bit of mixed as well — just to be a part of it is special.”