Kyrgios and the older Williams sister made an unlikely pairing for mixed doubles competition. They got off to a rolling start on Friday with a 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 win over Sabrina Santamaria and Austin Krajicek.
Throughout round one, the duo could not stop smiling and laughing as they took the crowd along on the ride.
The dynamic duo was widely praised on social media as many tennis fans claimed that they had found their favorite mixed doubles pairing.
However, four days of tennis competition over consecutive days eventually took their toll on Kyrgios who admitted that his body was having trouble keeping up after Friday’s doubles match.
Kyrgios stated, “Man, I’m hurting.”
“Physically, it’s hard for me to get out of bed.
This sport requires a lot of preparation and training.
It’s a physically demanding week. I am doing my best. I am trying to eat right, I am trying to get enough rest, I am trying to recuperate as much as possible, and I am trying to stay hydrated. I do all the right things.”
Due to an injury to his abdomen, Kyrgios had to withdraw from Saturday’s third round singles match against Felix Auger Aliassime.
After the shock exit, Kyrgios spoke to reporters and said that it was heartbreaking to have to give up his second round doubles match against Williams.
Kyrgios stated, “I have goosebumps thinking about the possibility that I may have to tell Venus Williams I can’t play mixed-doubles due to an injury.”
“It’s hard for me because… She’s now taken another day. It’s possible she could have been planning something else while she was here. It’s horrible.
“I am telling you that deep down, I am one of those people who will do anything to play doubles.
It’s hard. It would have been okay for me to lose today without being hurt, but this is more heartbreaking.
On Monday, Kyrgios & Williams will face Nicole Melichar of America and Edouard Rogers-Vasselin from France.
