Nick Kyrgios’ return to the Australian Open is over after he and Thanasi Kokkinakis stopped playing while trailing in the second set of their first-round doubles.

Nick Kyrgios dropped a bomb at the Australian Open this week, revealing he can’t see himself playing men’s singles at Melbourne Park again.

Alex de Minaur, the world No. 8, and Nick Kyrgios, who is back after a two-year battle with knee and wrist injuries, are the headliners for their country at Melbourne Park. Kyrgios emceed the night session on John Cain Arena Monday, before De Minaur headlines Rod Laver Arena, the pantheon of Australian tennis Tuesday night.

Nick Kyrgios has made several comments in recent months that suggest he may be closing in on retiring from tennis - the latest coming after his Australian Open defeat

The 29-year-old’s Australian Open return was short-lived — and he warned it could be his last singles match in his homeland.

Nick Kyrgios hinted on Monday that his straight-sets loss in the first round of the Australian Open may be his final singles match in his home country's Grand Slam event.

If this was the last Australian Open singles match of Nick Kyrgios' career — and, to be sure, it's hard to know with him, no matter what came out at his news conference — the big-hitting, big-talking tennis player went out rather quietly Monday night.

The 29-year-old has endured a wretched run of injuries and was hampered by an abdominal issue on Monday night. Fans packed John Cain Arena to get a glimpse of Kyrgios playing his first grand slam since the US Open in 2022, and the Aussie had plenty of home support.

Nick Kyrgios admits that he has "probably" played singles at the Australian Open for the last time after his return to the Grand Slam stage ended with defeat in the opening round in Melbourne.

If this was the last Australian Open singles match of Nick Kyrgios’ career — and, to be sure, it’s hard to know with him, no matter what came out at his news conference — the big-hitting, big-talking tennis player went out rather quietly Monday night.