Nick Kyrgios gives update on his body after exiting Australian Open doubles

The Australian said: "I'm tired. Yeah, I mean, I've done a lot of travel. I mean, I haven't really played any official tournaments."

He explained his recent objectives had centred on competing at Melbourne Park alongside his doubles partner.

Kyrgios said: "My goal in the last couple [of] months was to play all these events and to get through the Australian Open playing some doubles with Thanasi.

"There's no one else I'd really want to play with, to be honest."

Kyrgios confirmed he would compete in mixed doubles with Leylah Fernandez, but acknowledged the fatigue would likely affect his performance.

Their opponents were mixed doubles world number nine, Neal Skupski and American Desirae Krawczyk.

He said: "I have mixed tomorrow. Then reevaluate what my schedule looks like.

"I've ticked all my boxes, all my goals the last month and a half. I've done everything I thought I could do. I don't know what I'm going to do."

The Special Ks, as the pair are affectionately known, saw their ambitions of claiming the men's doubles crown crushed.

Polmans and Kubler, their fellow Australians, proved too strong despite expectations that Kyrgios and Kokkinakis would dominate the encounter.

Both players have been battling injury problems for an extended period, which prevented them from competing in the singles draw despite their initial intentions.

The duo had harboured genuine aspirations of lifting the doubles trophy, making the early exit all the more disappointing for the home crowd favourites.

Supporters remain uncertain whether the 30-year-old's body can withstand the physical demands of continued competition.

Questions persist about his ability to last through his upcoming mixed doubles match, given his evident exhaustion.

Those who have followed his career are hopeful that the Australian can recover swiftly and show even a glimpse of the talent that once made him such a compelling figure on court.

While Kyrgios has at times appeared to lack motivation and full commitment throughout his playing days, there are indications he is now approaching his tennis career with greater seriousness than before.

Kyrgios was left seething at what he described as "horrendous" officiating during the decisive super tiebreak.

The flashpoint came at 2-2 in the tiebreak when Kokkinakis appeared to strike a winning volley, only for the point to be overturned after replays showed he had made contact before the ball crossed the net.

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