Nick Kyrgios ‘devastated’ after quarterfinal defeat to Karen Khachanov as he destroys two rackets on court with a tennis elbow and hopes he can come back to Grand Slam glory after the break
Tennis player Rory McIlroy hopes the tennis world reacts in the same way when he takes the court again after injuring a muscle in his left elbow.
The 27-year-old world number one’s elbow was injured when he lost to Kyrgios in the quarter-final of the Australian Open but he will be hoping the injury won’t have such a dramatic impact on his progress at the year-end Championships in London.
Kyrgios ‘devastated’ after quarterfinal defeat to McIlroy as he destroys two rackets on court with a tennis elbow
McIlroy (left) hopes the tennis world reacts in the same way when he takes the court again after injuring a muscle in his left elbow
McIlroy’s elbow injury came with a brutal second serve as he fought back from a first set deficit, needing two match points at 3-3 and failing to convert them.
It was the first time McIlroy had played a match since withdrawing from his opening-round clash against Dominic Thiem.
‘It was a real fight. He’s in the most amazing place mentally. He had a tremendous challenge,’ said McIlroy. ‘I really enjoyed it. I have to thank John McEnroe for giving me some motivation.’
Kyrgios, who led 4-1 after the opening set then had a set point to tie it up, said: ‘It’s disappointing. That last set was an extremely tough set and I couldn’t do anything right. He’s been one of those opponents in Grand Slam finals over the years – at least once every year he’s had at least one loss that he has had to win a grand slam.
‘I’ve had a lot of challenges in my career and I have a lot of ups and downs.
‘Now I need a break. I’ve got this tournament again, I have to deal with my physical preparations. It’s been a tough eight months. It’s been difficult to deal with the injury and to deal with trying to get back into competition and doing what you can to get back into Grand Slams.
Kyrgios’ injury came in the fourth game of the