Australia’s
Nick Kyrgios has opened up about his
relationship with the former world number one
Andy Murray. The 38-year-old is
regarded as the greatest British player in the history of men’s tennis in the singles
category, having won as many as three Grand Slam titles in his career.
Murray retired from the sport in 2024 after struggling
with fitness concerns, especially towards the end of his career. Another player
who has struggled with severe fitness issues has been Kyrgios. The 30-year-old
has not been able to return to the court like he would have liked after
suffering a serious wrist injury in 2022.
Kyrgios recently spoke in the
Unscripted podcast, where he
was asked about how he sees his relationship with Murray. In response to that,
Kyrgios stated that he sees his relationship with Murray as a relationship with
a ‘colleague’. Kyrgios also revealed that Murray was one of the very few people
who supported him through difficult times.
“I guess he [Murray]’s just like a colleague,” said Kyrgios.
“I mean, I wouldn’t even know if he’s a friend anymore. I mean, we used to be
closer, but then, I don’t know. Yes, he [Murray] did [supported me during the
toughest times of my career]. He was one of the [very few] people that was very
supportive of me throughout. Now, we kind of don't talk as much. I wanted him
on my podcast, and he acted too important. So there’s your truth. It’s like,
bro, find some time.”.”
Kyrgios’ injury could not have come at a worse time as a
few months earlier, he played in his maiden and till now the only final of the
Grand Slams. In that contest, he came second-best against the former world number one, Serbia’s Novak Djokovic, who emerged victorious with a score of 4–6, 6–3, 6–4, 7–6.
Kyrgios still regrets losing Wimbledon final
Talking about his what if’s moment, Kyrgios named that
one match as according to him, people would look at him differently had he went
on and lifted the Wimbledon title, that too by beating someone like Djokovic who
is widely regarded as the greatest player in the history of men’s tennis in the
singles category in the Open era, having won as many as 24 Grand Slam titles.
“I mean if you win Wimbledon, you look at it from a like
immortality point of view,” said Kyrgios. “Like a couple hundred people of all
time of on a Grand Slam list. So it's like if you mark yourself in that
territory, you know, obviously financially probably triggers, you know a couple
more things but look, I'll look back at that. I'm just like obviously, I wish
I'd won that match but at the same time like you know, you lost it the greatest
player the greatest tennis player to ever play.”
Ever since Kyrgios returned to the court at the end
of the 2024 season, he has not been able to play consistently at the highest
level. Earlier this year, he featured at the Australian Open but lost in the first round. After that match, Kyrgios hinted that he is unlikely to
play in the singles category again. Talking about his future plans, Kyrgios confirmed that he will play at least one more time but also hinted that 2026 could be his last as he continues to struggle with fitness problems.
“Yeah, I’ll probably play the Aussie Open in some way,”
said Kyrgios. “I’m not too sure what events I’ll play, but I definitely will
say goodbye at the Aussie Open at least one more time. I
don’t know yet, like, I’m to the point where my body is… It’s just hard because
I know what it takes to be at that level, and whether or not you can string
those days together. That’s what’s tough.”