Nick Kyrgios shuts down 2018 season

Injury-plagued Nick Kyrgios announced he will not play for the remainder of 2018 after pulling out of Moscow’s Kremlin Cup.

The Australian lit up the courts in a first-round win over Andrey Rublev but pulled out of his next match against Mirza Basic before taking to the court, citing an elbow injury.

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It is a flare-up of the same injury which has affected him throughout 2018, forcing him out of eight tournaments prior to Moscow.

“It is what it is,” Kyrgios wrote on Instagram, before signing off with #seeya2018.

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It is what it is #seeya2018

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Kyrgios finishes the season with a win-loss record of 25-13.

After winning the Brisbane title in January and peaking at No.14 during the Australian Open, Kyrgios last week slipped to world No.38 – his lowest ranking since February 2016.

There were some bright spots during his stop-start season, most notably the grass-court swing when he reached back-to-back semifinals at Stuttgart and Queen’s and advanced to the third round at Wimbledon.

His Grand Slam highlight came on home soil; he progressed to the last 16 at Melbourne Park before falling in a compelling four-setter to Grigor Dimitrov.

Kyrgios has repeatedly talked about the need to get his body stronger so it can withstand the week-to-week rigours of professional tennis.

During another frustrating season marred by physical problems, he was asked at the US Open how satisfied he felt about his career.

“I get told a lot, What do you want from your career? I wouldn’t say I’m satisfied with my career. I think there is a lot more to be done and there is a lot more to be, I mean, explored,” he said.

“I have been around for about four years now. I have barely done anything. I think I can do a lot more. As I said, it’s all mental with me, I think. If I want it enough, you know, I have a coaching option, psychology option.

“I think there is a lot more things to explore. But, I mean, obviously I want to achieve more in the sport. I don’t think I have done anything.”

Kyrgios is expected to return to tennis at the Brisbane International in January 2019 to defend his title.