"Give me a break" - Nick Kyrgios offers support to Jenson Brooksby after American struggles in deflating Australian Open 1R comeback loss

Nick Kyrgios encouraged young Jenson Brooksby during the 2025 Australia Open, where the American was struggling against his compatriot Taylor Fritz. The 24-year-old has been out of action for two years as he was handed an 18-month suspension, which was later reduced.

Brooksby was on the rise at the Happy Slam in 2023 when he scored wins over Tommy Paul and Casper Ruud. However, his rise was derailed after he was handed a suspension for missing three consecutive drug tests in 12 months. His sentence was later reduced to 13 months making him eligible to compete from March 2024 but a shoulder injury kept him out of action.

He made his much-anticipated return at the Australian Open but drew the fourth seed Taylor Fritz, who thrashed him 6-2, 6-0, 6-3. A tennis insider noted how Brooksby was struggling against his compatriot.

"Brooksby struggling to win games on his return to tennis after almost two years. Fritz 6-2, 6-0, 1-1," the insider opined.

However, Nick Kyrgios jumped to defend the young American,

"Not easy to come back. Give him a break - bonus to be back," Kyrgios said.

Jenson Brooksby had recently opened up about living with autism in a candid interview in December last year.

On the other hand, Kyrgios could understand Brooksby's struggles as the Aussie also made his highly anticipated return to tennis this season. However, things haven't gone as he planned. The 29-year-old suffered opening-round exits at both the Brisbane International and the Australian Open.

"I mean, realistically can't really see myself probably playing singles again here" - Nick Kyrgios hints at retirement after Australian Open heartbreak

Nick Kyrgios - Source: Getty

During the press conference after his opening-round defeat to Jacob Fearnley at the Australian Open, Nick Kyrgios hinted at this being his final singles campaign at his home Major. He was delighted with the atmosphere brought by the crowd and said he played through physical pain for them.

"Yeah, I mean, realistically can't really see myself probably playing singles again here, so. Yeah, it was special. Like taking that in, it was pretty good. was good, yeah. So yeah, I mean, look, knew that have doubles, so kind of was taking everything in tonight in those moments. It was, yeah, nuts," Kyrgios said.

"I was hurting physically. I respect my opponent. The fans waited hours to come see me play. Yeah, I mean, realistically I can't see myself playing a singles match here again," he added.

Nick Kyrgios will play doubles alongside his childhood friend Thanasi Kokkinaki at the Australian Open. The two men got their fairy tale win in 2022 and will look to repeat that feat.