Nick Kyrgios opens up after ‘heartbreaking’ Indian Wells retirement
Nick Kyrgios has called his Indian Wells retirement ‘heartbreaking’, after experiencing wrist discomfort once again – during his first-round match against Botic van de Zandschulp.
Kyrgios looked in solid form against the Dutchman, clawing his way back from a double break deficit in the first set – before losing a closely-fought tiebreak, where he possessed set point.
The Australian was then broken in the third set, before throwing in the towel at 3-0 down after seemingly shedding a few tears during the changeover.
“It’s just more so I guess the amount of work I’ve put in to get back, and just to know that it’s not – like, I can play some, there are glimpses of some really good tennis that I can still play,” Kyrgios said, during his post-match press conference.
“I guess this process has probably been one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my life. In reality, it’s not too bad, but for my tennis career, it’s by far the biggest. Yeah, just the amount of work that goes in when I go back home or when I’m not playing, it’s not fun.
“I got a bit emotional towards the end because it’s one of my favourite tournaments, I love it here. I’ve had so many good memories here. It’s one of the best tournaments we have.”
Kyrgios is a two-time quarterfinalist at Indian Wells – reaching that stage in 2017 and 2022.
The former world No 13 had a sensational 2022 season, reaching the final of Wimbledon and claiming an ATP 500 title in Washington – but underwent wrist surgery in September 2023 which forced him out of the entire following season.
Kyrgios returned to the tour earlier in 2025, losing out in his opening matches at both the Brisbane International and the Australian Open.
“No one in the sport has had a wrist reconstruction and tried to play after that,” Kyrgios stated, speaking about the surgery.
“There’s been players that have had wrist surgeries and nowhere near as bad as what I had.
“It would be nice if someone had this injury prior if I could just go there and ask them, okay, these are setbacks you were having. It’s all an experiment at this point. I was told I was arguably maybe not ever playing tennis again. I feel I’m like right there, I feel like I can compete.
“I had an amazing season, literally knocking on the door of a Grand Slam, and then you just get pulled right back, and now you’re going to start from – I literally don’t have a ranking at the moment, was out for one-and-a-half years, and I’m trying to work my way back.”
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Despite the setback, the Australian knows that his desire to keep playing is strong, whilst also lowering expectations.
“I want to play. I knew I was going to be in discomfort tonight after two days ago but I took the court,” admitted the former No 13.
“It’s brutal, especially because I was having such a good year. I think that’s what is painful for me. And I think the coach I’m here with this week, my physio, I keep talking about that year, and it’s, like, you can’t expect that anymore.
That’s I think, for me, what’s a bit heartbreaking just because I thought I’d figured it out.”
The former Wimbledon finalist is next scheduled to participate in Miami, March 19 – March 30: “The pain is not great but I’ll just keep moving forward trying to do the right thing.
“Obviously the time frame for Miami is not ideal, but that’s where I was scheduled to play so I’ll see how my wrist responds and if not Miami then I’ll keep looking forward. I can’t keep looking back and being disappointed.”
