Nick Kyrgios brutally broke two tennis rackets after being eliminated from the US Open quarterfinals early Wednesday morning.
Karen Khachanov of Russia upset the Australian, who had defeated defending champion Daniil Medvedev in the previous round, 5-7, 6-4, 5-7, 7-6 (7-3), 4-6.
Kyrgios smashed two tennis rackets on the ground after shaking hands with Khachanov at the conclusion of the match.
—Adam Smithy (@AdamJSmithy)
September 7, 2022
Kyrgios then told reporters that he felt he had “failed down so many people” with the loss.
Currently, the 27-year-old is in the finest form of his career.
In July, he placed second at Wimbledon before winning the Citi Open in August.
Following his victory over Medvedev, he was highly anticipated to triumph at Flushing Meadows.
He stated, “I believe these four tournaments are the only ones that will ever count.” “It’s as if you need to start from scratch. I must wait till the start of the Australian Open.
“It’s really devastating. It is devastating. Not only for myself, but for everyone I know that wants me to succeed.
“But credit goes to Karen. He is a combatant. He is a fighter.”
Khachanov said: “It was a wild contest. I anticipated that it would be like this. I am prepared to run and battle to play five sets. We played for nearly four hours, which was the only way to defeat Nick.”
A new victor
None of the remaining six men’s singles competitors at the US Open have ever won a Grand Slam.
Khachanov meets Casper Ruud of Norway in one of Friday’s two semifinals.
Frances Tiafoe, who defeated Rafael Nadal, faces Andrey Rublev on Wednesday for one of the remaining semifinal spots.
On Thursday, Italian Jannik Sinner and Spanish Carlos Alacaraz will compete for the final slot in the quarterfinals.
Carlos Alcaraz.
Getty/Denis Doyle
Alcaraz, the third seed, and Ruud, the fifth seed, are the favorites to win the tournament. If they meet in the final, the victor will win his first major championship and become the new world No. 1 if he prevails.
Ruud told reporters following Tuesday’s quarterfinal victory against Italy’s Matteo Berrettini, “I had no clue that I could be ranked No. 1 when I began this event.”
“It is something that all young athletes consider. It serves as additional inspiration to persevere in the fight. If I am extremely fortunate, I will leave New York as the world’s number one player.”