A “devastated” Nick Kyrgios has admitted Grand Slam events are the only ones he cares about anymore after being knocked out in the US Open quarter-finals.
The Australian star beat reigning champion Daniil Medvedev in the round of 16 but fell short in a five-set epic against Russian Karen Khachanov.
Kyrgios was seen as a favourite to win his first Grand Slam after Rafael Nadal was also sent packing a day prior.
But the 27-year-old, who made the Wimbledon final in July, was edged out by a clinical Khachanov and was visibly distraught after the loss.
Speaking in his post-match press conference, Kyrgios didn’t hide just how much his exit hurt and stressed Grand Slams will be his main focus from now on.
“I just felt like it was either winning it all or nothing at all to be honest. I just feel like I’ve failed right now,” Kyrgios said.
“I don’t really care about any other tournament. I feel like at the Grand Slams, now having success at a Grand Slam, no other tournament really matters.
“It’s like you get better, you get worse and then at a Grand Slam none of it matters.
“You either win or you lose and people don’t really care if you got better on the day, or you lost in the fourth or the fifth, or you played one of the best matches of the tournaments – you lost.
“That’s all people remember at a Grand Slam. Whether your win or you lose. I think every tournament throughout the year is a waste of time really. You just front up and show up at a Grand Slam, it’s what you’re remembered by.
“I honestly feel like sh*t. I feel like I’ve let so many people down.
“I’m playing Tokyo and stuff but I just feel like these four tournament are the only ones that are ever going to matter and it’s just like you have to start it all again and I have to wait until the Australian Open.
“It’s just devastating. It’s heartbreaking. Not just for me but for everyone who I know that wants me to win.”
Hats off to @NickKyrgios on an incredible tournament and so many exciting matches.
See you next year. pic.twitter.com/0PeKHmWwwd
— US Open Tennis (@usopen) September 7, 2022
Kyrgios started the match against Khachanov with visible pain in his left knee and after losing the first set could be heard saying that he couldn’t walk due to the pain.
But after receiving some treatment, the Aussie managed to overcome the issue and refused to use it as an excuse for his eventual loss.
“Just came out flat, physically not feeling great, then ended up feeling great towards the end of the match,” Kyrgios said.
“Knee is sore. Obviously been playing a lot of tennis in recent months. I just split stepped, tweaked it a little bit and ended up feeling fine. Got some deep heat on it. Nothing major. I didn’t end up feeling it towards the third, fourth and fifth.
“I’m obviously devastated but all credit to Karen. He’s a fighter, a warrior.”
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