NEW YORK (AP) — A post-loss news conference with Nick Kyrgios often feels more like a therapy session, and Wednesday at the U.S. Open was no exception.
There was a lot to unpack afterward.
The 14th-seeded Kyrgios lamented the injured right shoulder that limited his effectiveness from the third set on during a 6-3, 1-6, 6-4, 6-1 exit against another Australian, 235th-ranked John Millman. Kyrgios called the series of health issues that have hampered him all year "diabolical." He stated that he doesn't care enough about working hard and, therefore, his coach should find someone else to work with.
And he closed by covering his face while saying, "I keep letting people down."
Kyrgios is a supremely talented and temperamental 22-year-old who has reached two Grand Slam quarterfinals and just this month beat 15-time major champion Rafael Nadal en route to the final of the Cincinnati Masters. He is also someone who gets in trouble for his on-court actions, such as lobbing insults at his opponent or being accused of not giving his best effort.
When Kyrgios was asked Wednesday whether he plans to continue being coached by former player Sebastien Grosjean, the reply was rather startling — or rather, would have been, coming from any other professional athlete.