Time Runs Out For Disappointed Kyrgios

The disappointment was etched all over Nick Kyrgios’ face. Having sustained a left hip injury at the Aegon Championships two weeks ago, the Australian No. 20 seed had worked tirelessly to get fully fit for The Championships at Wimbledon – his “favourite tournament”. But on Monday, he found that time had run out.

Pierre-Hugues Herbert, one half of the defending Wimbledon doubles champions (w/Mahut) and a fine grass-court player, was solid on serve – losing just five of his first service points – in 58 minutes of play, before Kyrgios called time on the first-round match.

“I kind of knew I was in trouble,” said Kyrgios, the 2014 quarter-finalist. “I have been feeling my hip ever since I fell over at Queen’s. I never got it right. I was doing everything I could to help it, but just not enough time.

“I thought I could win. Obviously, probably not against him, but some opponents if I played them today, I probably still could have won…. I could feel it a lot. It was hindering my performance a lot.”

When asked whether the injury would require surgery, the 2014 Wimbledon quarter-finalist admitted, “I would do everything possible to avoid it. But I don’t know. I’m obviously a little bit scared. But I don’t think I need it at the moment.”

“I was doing everything I could to help it”

A dejected @NickKyrgios discusses his unfortunate hip injury Wimbledon?src=hash”>#Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/uIhQ3QVewX

— Wimbledon (@Wimbledon) Wimbledon/status/881859925638512640″>July 3, 2017

Herbert will now face compatriot Benoit Paire, who ground out a 6-4, 3-6, 7-6(10), 6-4 win over Rogerio Dutra Silva.

French No. 12 seed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga came through his 150th Grand Slam championship match (113-37) in fine form when he struck 30 winners, including eight aces, in a 6-3, 6-2, 6-2 victory over wild card Cameron Norrie in 88 minutes. He will next face Italian Simone Bolelli, who beat Yen-Hsun Lu 6-3, 1-6, 6-3, 6-4.