Nick Kyrgios has been urged to split with doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis if he wants to win a maiden Grand Slam singles title.
On Tuesday, Kyrgios was clearly devastated as he crashed out of the US Open quarter-finals at the hands of Karen Khachanov. The Australian was defeated over five sets, falling 5-7 6-4 5-7 7-6(3) 4-6 to end his hopes of finally securing an elusive major singles crown.
After Kyrgios reached the Wimbledon final earlier this summer, fans hoped the 27-year-old would be able to claim the US Open title. However, the controversial tennis star suffered knee issues and was forced to call a medical timeout after losing the opening set against Khachanov.
Kyrgios insisted he felt great in the fifth set, but some fans pointed to his doubles campaign with Kokkinakis as perhaps taking its toll. The duo - dubbed the ‘Special Ks’ - won their first Grand Slam doubles title at the Australian Open in January, and they made it to the third round in New York.
They were knocked out by Lloyd Glasspool and Harri Heliovaara in a match that occurred just 24 hours before Kyrgios’ quarter-final defeat to Khachanov. Players often withdraw from doubles if they reach the second week of singles, but Kyrgios did not - and Australian tennis great Wally Mansur believes the extra workload affected the World No.25.
“If the workload is too great and then you're playing the better players in the second week, you can pay a price,” Mansur said on Stan Sport . “He loves playing with Thanasi, they're the Australian Open winners, he brings a lot of energy to the tournament, but there was eight extra sets of doubles.
“I’m not saying that's the reason for it, and I'm really pleased that he did play doubles, but it is very difficult for a top-flight singles player who can win a slam to play both events.”
Do you think Nick Kyrgios will ever win a singles Grand Slam title? Let us know in the comments section.
Kyrgios was particularly deflated when he spoke to reporters in his post-match press conference after crashing out of the US Open. The Austrlian was frustrated as he felt like he had let down his supporters around the world.
“Just came out flat, physically didn’t feeling great,” Kyrgios said. “Then I ended up feeling great towards the end of the match.
“I’m obviously devastated. But all credit to Karen. He's a fighter. He's a warrior. I thought he served really good today. Honestly probably the best server I played this tournament, to be honest, the way he was hitting his spots under pressure.
“He just played the big points well. Really wasn't anything in it. I'm just devastated obviously. Just feel like it was either winning it all or nothing at all, to be honest. I feel like I've just failed at this event right now. That's what it feels like.”
