Nick Kyrgios ‘devastated’ after quarterfinal defeat to Karen Khachanov as he destroys two rackets on court
Kyrgios said he would be seeking out his parents as he mourns Melbourne’s best-of-five Grand Slam run ended after a quarterfinal loss to Karen Khachanov
Months ago, Kyrgios was one of the world’s best players, ranked World No. 3 as well as Australia’s second-best.
But now, he’s facing reality, with a disappointing end to Melbourne’s run of three grand slams.
This week’s quarterfinal defeat to Karen Khachanov at the Australian Open confirmed the disappointment for a player who had been one of the sport’s best.
“It’s very tough to take, yeah,” Kyrgios said.
“It’s taken me two weeks just to digest because I had been pretty much on top of everything and then this happens and it’s just been a very difficult second-to-fifth.”
Months ago, Kyrgios was one of the world’s best players, ranked World No. 3 as well as Australia’s second-best. ( Getty Images: Mark Braxton )
Kyrgios is in his first season of elite tennis.
Despite a first-round exit at Wimbledon in 2016, he claimed a singles and doubles gold medal at the Rio Olympics before returning to the top 20 the following year.
His season began on the big stage at the Australian Open, when he upset second seed Novak Djokovic in a five-setter and then stunned Tomas Berdych 7-6 (3), 7-5, 6-0 to win the second week in a row.
At the Masters, Kyrgios lost to Stan Wawrinka in the second round.
But he bounced back at the US Open by beating Fernando Verdasco in a thrilling three-setter and then beat Canadian Milos Raonic in the final to claim his maiden major in the US.
His year included an incredible run to the Australian Open.
He beat Roger Federer in the final, after the Swiss had claimed a