Both world number ones will again headline the day session at the Australian Open as the fourth round begins.
Follow all the news from Day 8 of the Australian Open below!
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‘NOTHING LEFT TO PROVE’: KYRGIOS SHUTS DOWN TALK OF TOMIC MOVE
Nick Kyrgios’ Australian Open campaign remains alive, but his days of being a threat in the men’s singles draw are dead.
Kyrgios will hit the court for a second round mixed doubles clash alongside 2021 US Open women’s singles finalist Leylah Fernandez on Monday, but any hopes that another eye-catching doubles run might reignite his singles career have essentially been squashed.
The 30-year-old did not play singles this year at Melbourne Park due to fitness concerns.
He said he would be unable to play five sets with his career having been hampered by multiple knee and wrist surgeries.
“I’ve had a rough couple of years, going from knocking on the door of a Grand Slam, then having it taken away,” Kyrgios told Code Sports.
“Obviously your priorities change and reality hits, and it’s (wondering) whether or not you’re ever going to compete for a singles Grand Slam again.
“But I’ve had more luck and more success than 95% of athletes that choose to pick up a racquet.
“I’ve had to humbly realise that it’s … it’s not gone, but that injuries happen and they’re a part of sport.”
It was a sensible decision to not play singles as Kyrgios has only made one grand slam singles appearance since 2022 – a first-round loss at last year’s Australian Open when he was clearly not fully healthy.
2022 was the year the polarising Australian appeared to get it all together.
He lost the Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic – the best result of his singles career.
He made the US Open quarter-finals roughly six weeks later, losing a five set thriller to Karen Khachanov.
Kyrgios gave one of his trademark outbursts upon leaving the court in New York, but this time it felt different.
With Djokovic not playing, Rafael Nadal already being eliminated and Kyrgios having defeated then world No.1 Daniil Medvedev in the previous round, it felt like the best opportunity of his career to win a grand slam title.
Carlos Alcaraz went on to win his first grand slam title and would have been a formidable foe, but Kyrgios’ outburst was one of disappointment and frustration with himself.
Not of the at times bratty behaviour directed at an umpire or his team.
After being so close to glory, it would then be a bitter pill to swallow to drop back to lower levels to rebuild his career.
It was a suggestion made by Krygios’ doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis.
The likes of fellow Australian Bernard Tomic have also had to cop that dent to his pride in recent years.
But it is a move that Kyrgios will not be making, instead focusing on exhibition events.
“I just don’t think there’s any need for it,” he said. “My motivation is to make as much money as possible.
“So when events are throwing six figures at me, it doesn’t make sense for me to go a 250 and play five matches and only earn what I could earn in one day.
“It doesn’t make sense.
“I’m more of a drawcard than most people, even in the top 10, so I know my worth and what my plans are.
“I have nothing left to prove. I’ve beaten all of the greatest players of all time and I’ve won multiple titles.
“Someone who’s had injuries, but still hasn’t achieved what they want to achieve could go back to 250s, but if I can earn six figures for going to a place for two days, then that will always be my option.”
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis lost their first round doubles match to fellow Australians Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans.
But instead of being concerned by the defeat, Kyrgios was proud of the late night, party atmosphere they created on Kia Arena.
Similar scenes were common place of their run to the title in 2022.
The good vibes were also flowing in his match with Fernandez on Friday.
That energy is what Kyrgios is chasing, be it at the Australian Open or from exhibition events like the one he played at New York’s Madison Square Garden last year or his much criticised ‘battle of the sexes’ clash with Aryna Sabalenka.
“I just want to put on a show for the crowd – that’s pretty much why I’m playing at the moment,” he said.
“It’s cool, because every time you go out there, the stadium is absolutely rocking.
“It’s a riot out there, and I’m giving people entertainment, and it’s an experience.
“On Thursday night, I literally had every single person in the palm of my hand. It’s like I’m orchestrating them, and it’s just an incredible feeling.
“I’m just this kid from Canberra, it’s pretty surreal for me.”
DAY 8 PREVIEW
Both world number ones will again headline the day session at the Australian Open as the fourth round begins.
Aryna Sabalenka kicks off play on Rod Laver Arena when she battles exciting Canadian teenager Vicky Mboko, who is expected to be a future top-10er but has never been this deep at a slam before.
Sabalenka has not looked dominant through the tournament thus far, being taken to two tiebreaks in her third-round win over Anastasia Potapova.
Then it’s men’s No.1 Carlos Alcaraz, seeking to complete the career grand slam this fortnight at Melbourne Park, facing America’s Tommy Paul at a slam for the third year in a row.
Paul’s compatriot Iva Jovic is a better chance of advancing into the quarter-finals, with the 18-year-old favoured against unseeded Kazakh Yulia Putintseva.
Also in the day session No.3 seed Coco Gauff battles Czech Karolina Muchova, before one of the rivalries of the 2025 season is renewed at the place it began – Margaret Court Arena – when former runner-up Daniil Medvedev faces American young gun Learner Tien.
Australia’s great hope Alex de Minaur headlines the night session against volatile No.10 seed Alexander Bublik.
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AUSTRALIAN OPEN DAY 8 ORDER OF PLAY
Men’s and Women’s Singles fourth round
Show courts and Aussies – all times AEDT
Rod Laver Arena
Day session from 11:30am
[1] Aryna Sabalenka (BLR) vs [17] Victoria Mboko (CAN)
Not before 1:30pm
[1] Carlos Alcaraz (ESP) vs [19] Tommy Paul (USA)
Night session from 7pm
[10] Alexander Bublik (KAZ) vs [6] Alex de Minaur (AUS)
[12] Elina Svitolina (UKR) vs [8] Mirra Andreeva (RUS)
Margaret Court Arena
Day session from 11:30am
Match TBA x2 (likely doubles)
Not before 2:30pm
[3] Coco Gauff (USA) vs [19] Karolina Muchova (CZE)
Not before 4pm
[11] Daniil Medvedev (RUS) vs [25] Learner Tien (USA)
John Cain Arena
Day session from 11am
Match TBA (likely doubles)
Not before 1pm
Yulia Putintseva (KAZ) vs [29] Iva Jovic
Match TBA
Not before 5pm
[3] Alex Zverev (GER) vs [18] Francisco Cerundolo (ARG)
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