Kyrgios, entertaining as ever, bows out of Wimbledon after injury against Felix Auger Aliassime
Nick Kyrgios is out of Wimbledon after an injury forced him to retire during his third round match against Felix Auger Aliassime on No.1 Court today.
The colourful Aussie looked good in taking the first set 6-2 after twice breaking the serve of the Canadian 16th seed.
But he suffered an arm injury towards the end of the first set, and despite receiving treatment from the physiotherapist early in the second, was unable to recover and pulled out after losing it 6-1.
By that stage Kyrgios’ serve was shot and he admitted in his on-court interview afterwards that without one of his main weapons, he was a beaten man against the impressive Auger Aliassime – the world number 19.
It had all started so well for the Australian, who arrived in London just four days before the start of Wimbledon and who had not played competitive tennis since Melbourne at the start of the year.
Even in defeat, this match was the Kyrgios show from beginning to end. The start of the match was held up after the current world number 60 – he’s far better than that – forgot his tennis shoes, and Wimbledon staff were forced to go to the locker room to retrieve them.
He sought to put Auger Aliassime off his game by throwing in a couple of customary under-arm serves – one which caught the Canadian so off guard that he inexplicably volleyed long when in control of a point at the start of the second set.
Always keen to give the crowd value for their money, Kyrgios continued to entertain even though he was clearly in pain.
At one moment Auger Aliassime was forced to play a between-the-legs shot when retreating to the baseline, and when any other player in the world would have played a regulation forehand, Kyrgios tried an inbetweener one of his own, but only succeeded in hitting the ball into the net.
Kyrgios was broken for a second time in the set at 5-1 – his serve now weakened to the point of no longer being a threat. And after Auger Aliassme took the set 6-1, the hand of congratulations was extended.
Afterwards Kyrgios said: “Playing out here and having this support has made me have a second wind. I’m going to come back here and play a bit longer, I reckon.
“Just to come back and play a couple of sets is great, thank you. You’ll see a lot more of him in the future – and he’s better looking than me, too.”
Auger Aliassime added: “I am sorry for Nick. He was playing so good. It’s so unfortunate playing in front of a packed crowd – we were hoping to put on a good show. I hope it’s nothing too serious and I hope he’s back soon.
“I’m one step better than the first time here. I am enjoying myself. This is my favourite tournament. I love the prestige of it, I love the crowd enjoying themselves – that’s the best for us players.”
“I am going to try my best. You have to believe in yourself and that’s what I’ll do.”
Pictured top: Nick Kyrgios plays a shot through his legs (Picture: PA)
