Nick Kyrgios 'emotional' after latest injury setback in tearful Indian Wells exit - 'One of the biggest challenges'
Updated 07/03/2025 at 14:57 GMT
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Nick Kyrgios was visibly emotional after being forced to withdraw from his first-round match against Botic van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells. After the clash was cut short, he revealed that he had been aware of the issue ahead of the match. The Australian also expressed his disappointment at being injured again, having only just recovered from an unfortunate series of fitness issues.
Nick Kyrgios of Australia retires with a wrist injury from his match against Botic Van de Zandschulp of the Netherlands in the first round of the BNP Paribas Open at Indian Wells Tennis Garden on March 06, 2025 in Indian Wells, California. (Photo by Frey/TPN/Getty Images)
Image credit: Getty Images
Nick Kyrgios admitted he had doubts about his fitness ahead of his tearful first-round withdrawal against Botic van de Zandschulp at Indian Wells.
The Australian pulled out of the contest due to a wrist injury while trailing the Dutchman 7-6(7), 3-0 on Thursday evening.
It is the latest injury blow for Kyrgios, who was visibly emotional on court having had surgery on the same wrist in September 2023.
The 29-year-old admitted that he was aware of the issue ahead of the match after feeling a sharp pain during practice.
"I wasn’t too confident that I was going to be able to play today, to be honest," Kyrgios said post-match. "Two days ago in practice I had to stop my practice because I felt pain in my wrist.
"I felt like it was okay to take the court. [It] just got progressively worse... [I] started feeling sharp pain in my wrist."
Kyrgios only returned to competition at the Australian Open earlier this year, having been out since the 2022 US Open with a series of different injuries.
He admitted that it was frustrating to have fitness concerns after putting in so much work to get back on the court.
"This process has been probably one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my life," Kyrgios added.
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"Reality, it’s not too bad, but for my tennis career, it’s by far the biggest. Just the amount of work that goes in when I go back home or when I’m not playing, it’s not fun.
"I know that I can’t really be doing any more to try and get back and play. I guess it’s just the amount of work I put in and I’m still having so much discomfort in my wrist.
"That’s I guess why I got a bit emotional towards the end because it’s one of my favourite tournaments."
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