Australian Nick Kyrgios hinted that he could retire at the age of 27 due to the mental health struggles he suffers over his volatile form, despite beating world number one Daniil Medvedev to book a US Open quarter-final spot.
Kyrgios slammed his racket twice in frustration after allowing reigning US Open champion Medvedev back into the match during his stunning 7-6 (11), 3-6, 6-3, 6-2 win. Despite recording a surprise victory Kyrgios was left reflecting on the mental health issues tennis gives him and hinted at not playing again after this tournament.
"I've been in some really tough situations mentally, and in some really scary places," he said.
"Obviously if you look at it on paper, I probably wasn't expected to win that. Maybe take a set or two if I'm lucky. Give the people a show. It's a great win. But I come off the court and I'm just almost relieved that it's over because there's just so much pressure every time I go out on court, so much expectation, so much unpredictability of what I can do.
"I just sit there in the locker room after and I'm just super proud of the performance because there was really a time where I didn't think I was capable of producing and doing this any more.
"I just mentally struggled so hard for the first six, seven years of my career. I had great results, shocking results, try really hard, then tanking.
"I honestly didn't know how to deal with any of it. I beat myself up way too hard. It was unhealthy.
"I look back, it was just all a learning process to now because I've matured so much. I know the process now of what it takes to get to a final of a grand slam. Not to win it yet, but to get to the final.
"It's the last biggest tournament of the year. We've got to try and just tough it out and keep pushing each other, keep being positive. Next week we're going home. But three more matches potentially, then we never have to play tennis again."
The fourth-round defeat means 26-year-old Russian Medvedev will lose his world number one ranking at the US Open which he won last year.
Kyrgios will meet Russian Karen Khachanov in the US Open quarter-final. Meanwhile, Medvedev, who was beaten in the Australian open final this season, was left to reflect on a disappointing defence to his US Open crown.
He added: "I'm not going to cry in the (press) room, but I'm a little bit disappointed. For a few days I'm going to be just a little bit sad, looking at my phone, my laptop or watching some series."
