Australian Open 2025: 'Extremely nervous' Jacob Fearnley plays 'best match' to stun Nick Kyrgios in first round

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Great Britain's Jacob Fearnley produced one of the shocks of the 2025 Australian Open so far as he knocked out returning home favourite Nick Kyrgios in four sets. The Briton, playing in just his second Grand Slam, won 7-6(3) 6-3 7-6(2) on John Cain Arena, but he admitted in his post-match interview that he had been "extremely nervous" in the lead-up to the match. He faces Arthur Cazaux next.

'Oh he's got it!' - GB's Fearnley scrambles for 'unbelievable' get against Kyrgios

Video credit: TNT Sports

Britain's Jacob Fearnley may have admitted that he was "extremely nervous", but he showed none of those nerves as he played his "best match" to stun Nick Kyrgios at the Australian Open.

Fearnley, playing in just his second-ever Grand Slam, ousted the returning home favourite Kyrgios in straight sets on John Cain Arena, coming through 7-6(3) 6-3 7-6(2).

Kyrgios had been struggling with an abdominal injury in the lead-up to his major return, but the Australian still produced some exquisite winners as he was roared on by a "rowdy" and partisan home crowd.

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However, Fearnley defied his years to be calmness personified, earning himself a place in the second round, where he will face France's Arthur Cazaux, who defeated 26th seed Sebastian Baez.

Speaking to John McEnroe post-match, Fearnley admitted that he hadn't had as much sleep as he would have liked the night before.

"[I was] extremely nervous before the match," Fearnley said.

"I didn’t get too much sleep. I knew it was going to be a rowdy match. I thought I played well. I’m sorry for Nick, I could tell he was dealing with some stuff. I thought it was a great match and I really enjoyed playing in front of you guys.

"I tried to just focus on myself as best as I could. I knew that I wasn’t going to be able to get you guys on my side, so I just had to focus on myself and try and play my game and do the best that I could to get past every point.

"It’s definitely up there, all things considered, it’s probably the best match [I have played]."

Fearnley did exceptionally well to drown out the cacophony of noise on John Cain Arena, as the Australian fans sought to get behind their returning hero Kyrgios.

Kyrgios himself was as charismatic as we remember him to be, often heard talking to himself, and at one point muttering that he "shouldn't be ****ing out here".

Fearnley, who rose to prominence through the American collegiate system at Texas Christian University, was asked by McEnroe whether his experience at playing on the college circuit had prepared him for facing adversity and playing the villain on the tour.

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Video credit: TNT Sports

"I’ve never experienced anything like this, but I’ve had some heckles thrown my way in my four-and-a-half years at TCU. That definitely helped, but an experience like this will definitely help me moving forward.

"Nerves and excitement [upon hearing the draw]. You never know what you’re going to get when you play Nick. He played some unbelievable tennis.

"I knew it was going to be an entertaining match. I was definitely nervous, but I was also excited because the tennis that we both produced was really good and really enjoyable to play.

"I focused on my team, leaning on them and everyone I have with me. That was something we talked about. It was really hard to keep my composure."

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