Nick Kyrgios has revealed the biggest regret of his tennis career, while admitting he will continue to push for a return to the singles circuit.
The Australian player has barely featured in singles tennis in recent years, battling significant wrist and knee injuries.
But the last time he was truly fit was 2022, when he made the final of Wimbledon and the quarter final of the US Open.
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Speaking with NBA legend Allen Iverson on the Good Trouble With Nick Kyrgios podcast, the 30-year-old said he still regularly thinks about that Wimbledon final and the missed opportunity to change his legacy.
It was a dream run for the Aussie, who finally put all the pieces together, got healthy and channelled his full potential.
He knocked out No.26 seed Filip Krajinović of Serbia in the second round, then took down No.4 seed Stefanos Tsitsipas next.
Kyrgios beat Cristian Garin in the quarter final before benefitting from a walkover in the semi final, after No.2 seed Rafael Nadal withdrew injured.
The final hurdle was No.1 seed Novak Djokovic, who was looking for his 21st grand slam crown.
Kyrgios took the first set off the Serbian legend 6-4, and says that early lead haunts him to this day. He would go on to lose the next three sets 3-6, 4-6, 6-7(3).
"I played finals of Wimbledon a couple of years ago, and I played Novak Djokovic in the final," he said to Iverson on the podcast.
"I won the first set, I'm right there, two sets away from basically becoming immortal in the sport.
"I think about it every day, it still bothers me, and I still get asked about it.
"I got so close… I think about it, and I feel like now, I'm not physically… I've had four surgeries, three surgeries in the last couple of years. So I feel my body isn't as elite as it used to be.
"You know what happens when you start declining physically and athletically. You know that your level is still there a little bit, but you can't back it up as frequently.
"In tennis, to win a grand slam, that's all everyone cares about. You could have an amazing season, but at the end of the day, if you don't have a grand slam, you'll be forgotten.
"I was right there, and I just didn't capitalise on it. Now, I'm still playing, but whether or not I'll have that opportunity again, I'm not sure."
Kyrgios attempted to make a comeback on the ATP tour at the start of the year, but was beaten in straight sets at the Brisbane International, before opting out of a wildcard spot in the main draw of the Australian Open.
He ultimately played doubles and mixed doubles at the grand slam.
Kyrgios' last singles win in an ATP singles match came in the first round of the 2025 Miami Open. It was his first since 2022.
But retirement isn't on his agenda just yet.
"All I do now is play for the fans," Kyrgios added on the podcast.
"I still have a massive following. Now, I just enjoy going out there for the fans and putting on a crazy show, seeing the kids out there, that's basically why I'm playing now."
Kyrgios has previously stated his hopes to play the grass court season and Ultimate Tennis Showdown (UTS) events in 2026, as he attempts to continue his singles career.
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