The tennis world received a disappointing blow as Australian star Nick Kyrgios announced his withdrawal from the 2025 Wimbledon Championships and the entire grass-court season, including the Stuttgart Open, Queen’s Club Championships, and Mallorca Championships. The 30-year-old, who captivated fans with his electrifying run to the 2022 Wimbledon final, revealed that a setback in his recovery from a persistent knee injury has forced him to skip the sport’s most prestigious grass-court events. His heartfelt statement on social media underscored the emotional toll of the decision, while his determination to return stronger hinted at the resilience that has defined his tumultuous career.
Kyrgios, once ranked as high as world No. 13, has been plagued by injuries in recent years, limiting him to just six singles matches since 2022, with only one victory. “I’ve hit a small setback in my recovery and unfortunately I won’t make it back for grass season this year,” he shared on Instagram, addressing fans who had eagerly awaited his return to the All England Club. “I know how much you’ve been looking forward to seeing me out there and I’m genuinely sorry to disappoint. This is just a bump in the road though and I’m already working hard to get back stronger than ever.” The announcement, made on June 3, 2025, sent ripples through the tennis community, as Kyrgios’ flair and unpredictability have long made him a fan favorite on the grass courts of SW19.
The setback is the latest in a series of physical challenges for Kyrgios, whose career has been a rollercoaster of brilliance and adversity. A knee injury requiring arthroscopic surgery in early 2023 sidelined him for the Australian Open and French Open that year, while a wrist injury—a torn ligament discovered during his attempted comeback in Mallorca—forced him to withdraw from Wimbledon 2023 just hours before his first-round match against David Goffin. “During my comeback, I experienced some pain in my wrist during Mallorca. As a precaution I had it scanned and it came back showing a torn ligament in my wrist,” he had said at the time, a statement that echoed the frustration of his latest withdrawal. His 2024 season was similarly disrupted, with a secret wrist surgery making everyday tasks like opening a car door agonizing, and a planned doubles appearance at the French Open with Thanasi Kokkinakis was scuppered by the same knee issue that now rules him out of the grass season.
Kyrgios’ absence from Wimbledon, where he reached the final in 2022 before falling to Novak Djokovic in a thrilling 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(3) battle, is particularly poignant. That year, he showcased his audacious shot-making, defeating Rafael Nadal in 2014 and Stefanos Tsitsipas en route to his maiden Grand Slam final. “I think it’s the fact that you’ve done all the work over your life to actually post the result of that tournament, that’s going to be remembered for the rest of your life,” Kyrgios had said of Wimbledon’s allure. His 20-8 record on the grass courts of the All England Club and his ability to “feel comfy” on the surface, rooted in his junior days playing national tournaments on grass in Australia, made his 2025 return highly anticipated.
The grass season was seen as a critical opportunity for Kyrgios to rebuild his ranking, currently languishing at No. 633 after peaking at No. 13 in 2016. His withdrawal from Stuttgart (June 9-15), Queen’s Club (June 16-22), and Mallorca, alongside Wimbledon (June 30-July 13), means he misses key chances to bank ranking points. This follows a pattern of limited play, with his last competitive singles match being a first-round loss to Wu Yibing in Stuttgart in June 2023. Despite these setbacks, Kyrgios remains optimistic. “I don’t think I’ve got anything left to prove in my career,” he said in 2023, reflecting on his achievements, including seven ATP Tour titles and a 2022 Australian Open doubles crown with Kokkinakis. “I feel like now, this is why you work. So you can actually have fun and just enjoy it.”
While Kyrgios won’t compete, he’s expected to join ESPN’s broadcast team for Wimbledon, leveraging his experience as a commentator for Eurosport at the 2024 Australian Open and BBC’s Wimbledon coverage last year. His outspoken commentary, often stirring debate, has made him a polarizing yet compelling voice in the sport. “I think it’s just Wimbledon in general,” he once said, describing the tournament’s unique appeal, from staying near the courts to the electric atmosphere. Fans, while disappointed, hold out hope for his return, perhaps at the US Open, as he continues his recovery. For now, Kyrgios’ absence leaves a void on the grass courts, but his promise to come back “stronger than ever” keeps the tennis world watching.
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