Nick Kyrgios’s return to the ATP Tour at Indian Wells ended in heartbreak as the Australian tennis star was forced to retire from his first-round match against Botic van de Zandschulp. Trailing 7-6 (9-7), 3-0, Kyrgios cited a persistent right wrist injury as the reason for his withdrawal. The 29-year-old, visibly emotional, left the court in tears, marking yet another setback in his injury-plagued career.
This was Kyrgios’s first appearance at Indian Wells in two years and his third tournament of the season. Despite flashes of brilliance in the opening set, including a set point in the tiebreak, the pain in his wrist became unbearable, limiting his movement and shot execution. His opponent, van de Zandschulp, capitalized on the situation to advance to the second round, where he is set to face Novak Djokovic.
Kyrgios’s struggles with injuries have been well-documented. After reaching the US Open quarter-finals in 2022, he underwent wrist and knee surgeries that sidelined him for an extended period. His comeback earlier this year at the Australian Open also ended in disappointment, with a first-round exit. Reflecting on his latest setback, Kyrgios described the experience as “brutal” and admitted it was the “biggest challenge” of his career.
The Australian’s future in professional tennis remains uncertain. With his 30th birthday approaching and recurring physical issues, questions linger about his ability to compete at the highest level. For now, Kyrgios’s focus will likely shift to recovery and reassessment, as he navigates the challenges of an injury-ridden career.
Nick Kyrgios in 2025
Ranked no., Nick played his last match on the 6th of March when he had to retire when playing against world no.85 Botic Van De Zandschulp in the 1st round and the scoreline was 7-6(7) 3-0 .
At the moment, during this season the Australian achieved an overall 0-3 match record.
He is also scheduled to play in Miami (Miami Open) on the 19th of March and () on the 29th of December.