Nick Kyrgios’ return to the Australian Open is over after he and partner Thanasi Kokkinakis stopped playing while trailing in the second set of their first-round doubles match.

Nick Kyrgios raged at an Australian Open umpire after his doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis was given a code violation for hitting the ball out of play. Kokkinakis was punished in the first set against Aleksandar Vukic and James Duckworth for launching the ball into the stands in frustration.

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.

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.

Australian doubles pair James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic have eased into the second round of the men's doubles after opponents Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis retired during the second set of their match on John Cain Arena.

Thanasi Kokkinakis concedes his debilitating pectoral muscle injury will likely force him to pull out of his hotly-anticipated 'Special Ks' doubles reunion with Nick Kyrgios. While Alex de Minaur will headline the Australians in action on Thursday,