Nick Kyrgios retired from Indian Wells in tears as injury blighted his return to tennis.
Botic van de Zandschulp won the first set of their first round clash 7-6 [9-7] and led in the second set before his opponent withdrew.
Kyrgios last played at the Australian Open in January when he lost to Jacob Fearnley in round one and eyed a comeback at Indian Wells.
However, fitness fears were raised ahead of the tournament as the Aussie star looked in visible discomfort during a practice session.
The 29-year-old was spotted nursing his right wrist, which underwent an operation in September 2023.
Kyrgios was able to make his way onto the court against his Dutch opponent Van de Zandschulp but couldn’t see out the match.
At 3-0 down, he cut an emotional figure when sitting on his chair as his wrist issues returned on the court.
Speaking to the trainer, Kyrgios appeared tearful as the realisation of him not being able to continue at Indian Wells set in.
The umpire then announced his retirement to the crowd, with Van de Zandschulp running over to shake his hand.
Kyrgios was able to wave his hand at fans as they cheered him off the court before reflecting on his early exit from the tournament.
“I wasn’t too confident that I was going to be able to play today, to be honest,” he said in his post-match press conference via the ATP.
“Two days ago in practice I had to stop my practice because I felt pain in my wrist. I felt like it was okay to take the court.
“Just got progressively worse… Started feeling sharp pain in my wrist.”
He added: “I guess this process has been probably one of the biggest challenges I’ve faced in my life. Reality, it’s not too bad, but for my tennis career, it’s by far the biggest.
“Just the amount of work that goes in when I go back home or when I’m not playing, it’s not fun. I know that I can’t really be doing any more to try and get back and play.
“I guess it’s just the amount of work I put in and I’m still having so much discomfort in my wrist. That’s I guess why I got a bit emotional towards the end because it’s one of my favourite tournaments.
“After Australian Open, all I did was rehab, train, and then try and get ready for this tournament.
“I was two days out of the tournament here and I was having a great training session, and literally the second-to-last point in my training session I hit a forehand, I felt a sharp pain, and I had to stop playing.
“We go back to the drawing board as a team, and we just try and figure out and navigate a way to just get through these matches.
“I would have loved to be able to finish that match even if I lose just as a building block, to say, ‘Okay, I went out there and was competing with a very good player, and I had chances and set points and breakpoints’.
“So it’s like these building blocks, but now if I’m not finishing matches that becomes a concern.”
Van de Zandschulp will now face Novak Djokovic in the second round.
Kyrgios has also suffered injuries to his knee and foot in recent years, with his wrist the latest concern.
The 2022 Wimbledon runner-up now looks doubtful to play at the Miami Open later this month.
