Nick Kyrgios painted a despondent picture on Monday after his campaign ended in the R1 of the 2025 Australian Open. Playing against 92-ranked Brit Jacob Fernley, he made a strong impression in the first set. But the gritty Fernley eventually beat him 7-6(3), 6-3, 7-6(2). Following the crushing defeat, Kyrgios dropped a bombshell announcement on his tennis future. “Realistically, I can’t really see myself probably playing singles again here”, he said. But he’s still looking to give his best in the doubles campaign down under, with a longtime trusted compatriot. Now he’s shared an emotional message as well for his partner.

In the last week of December 2024, after recovering from his wrist injury, Kyrgios returned to action at the Brisbane International. But he couldn’t move past the first round and lost to Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. In doubles as well, partnering with Serbian Novak Djokovic, his journey didn’t extend beyond the second round. Coming into Melbourne, the 2022 Wimbledon finalist was hoping to entertain the home crowd at the first major of this season. After an early exit, however, Kyrgios confessed that this edition could mark his final appearance at the AO. “It’s not enjoyable to go out there and not think tactically and not think I’m enjoying the atmosphere, or where am I going to hit this ball,” he said in a post-match press conference on Monday.

But he wants to leave with good memories and there’s still a chance to do that in the doubles. And there’s no one else he’s rather put up one last show with, than Kokkinakis. Yes, you read that right. If Kyrgios’ social media message to Kokkinakis is to be believed, then quite possibly it is the last time that fans might see Krygios on Australian hard courts. Before their first round match on Wednesday, against fellow Aussies James Duckworth and Aleksander Vukic, Kyrgios shared an IG story hinting at his singles retirement and wrote an emotional message to Kokkinakis: “Let’s enjoy this doubles match @the_kokk1 ❤️🙏🙂‍↕️”

The pair’s spirit is admirable. After all, they are former Australian Open doubles champions! In 2022, the Aussie duo won the trophy with together, beating Max Purcell and Matthew Ebden 7-5, 6-4 in the final. That the two of them have managed to hold on to their motivation and energy despite a spate of injuries, is phenomenal. Its no fresh news that Kyrgios has been riddled with a ligament tear and wrist pain, which have kept him out of action. But like Kyrgios, Kokkinakis too has gone through a phase marred by injuries lately. Regardless, he’s still willing to team up and entertain the crowd in Melbourne.

Thanasi Kokkinakis commits to partnering with Nick Kyrgios despite physical setbacks

For the unversed, Kokkinakis had injury woes resurface at the Adelaide International a week ago. He cruised to the QF round without much trouble. But following a three-hour battle against Tomas Martin Etcheverry, he left the match as his right shoulder pain acted up. But his hopes remain high before his first doubles encounter alongside Nick Kyrgios. Similar to the latter, Kokkinakis also wants to give a good time to fans who are always eager to watch them together on the court.

Their motivation? Simply put, they have made a sort of commitment to keep entertaining the crowd. “Both of us kind of made a little bit of a pact—unless we are seriously, seriously hurt, like badly—we’re going to try and come out there even if we’re not feeling great,” Kokkinakis said a few days back, in an interaction with Channel 9.

While they weren’t initially serious about playing doubles, their minds changed after winning the AO title in 2022. “Everyone loved it last time, we loved it, it was so much fun,” Kokkinakis revealed in December, as reported by Eurosport. “It’s definitely not going to be the priority for us (but) we feel like we owe it to people to get back out there and have some fun. It’s not something we’ve practised, but singles is definitely the goal.” he added.

It will be intriguing to see how the doubles campaign goes for Nick Kyrgios and his partner. Given the Aussie’s revelation on a potential retirement, do you think he will deliver a stunning performance in what he’s called his last Australian Open? Let us know in the comments below.