After surgery and close to 16 months of around-the-clock rehabilitation, things began looking up for Nick Kyrgios. And yet here he is, dealing with pain once more.

The 29-year-old’s Australian Open return was short-lived — and he warned it could be his last singles match in his homeland.

If this was the last Australian Open singles match of Nick Kyrgios' career — and, to be sure, it's hard to know with him, no matter what came out at his news conference — the big-hitting, big-talking tennis player went out rather quietly Monday night.

Alex de Minaur, the world No. 8, and Nick Kyrgios, who is back after a two-year battle with knee and wrist injuries, are the headliners for their country at Melbourne Park. Kyrgios emceed the night session on John Cain Arena Monday, before De Minaur headlines Rod Laver Arena, the pantheon of Australian tennis Tuesday night.

Nick Kyrgios hinted at retirement while talking to reporters after his first round loss in a return to the tennis court at the Australian Open on Monday, January 13.

Nick Kyrgios hinted on Monday that his straight-sets loss in the first round of the Australian Open may be his final singles match in his home country's Grand Slam event. Kyrgios lost 7-6 (3), 6-3, 7-6 (2) to Great Britain's Jacob Fearnley,

Nick Kyrgios admits that he has "probably" played singles at the Australian Open for the last time after his return to the Grand Slam stage ended with defeat in the opening round in Melbourne.

If this was the last Australian Open singles match of Nick Kyrgios’ career — and, to be sure, it’s hard to know with him, no matter what came out at his news conference — the big-hitting, big-talking tennis player went out rather quietly Monday night.