“I feel like I've just failed”: Inside Nick Kyrgios’ US Open exit

WATCH: Tennis Channel Live discussed Nick Kyrgios' big win over Daniil Medvedev on Sunday.

NEW YORK—An eerie silence fell over the final installment of the US Open’s Nick Kyrgios Show as the Aussie slowly walked into his 1:30AM press conference. The mood was a stark contrast to the raucous atmosphere on display minutes earlier on Arthur Ashe Stadium, but nonetheless a testament to the Aussie’s ability to command a crowd—of any size.

Kyrgios was visibly distraught after enduring a 7-5, 4-6, 7-5, 6-7 (3), 6-4 defeat to Karen Khachanov, seemingly fighting back tears while discussing his missed opportunity for a first Grand Slam title.

“Just feel like it was either winning it all or nothing at all, to be honest,” he said to start. “I feel like I've just failed at this event right now.”

I think pretty much every other tournament during the year is a waste of time really. You should just run up and show up at a Grand Slam. That's what you're remembered by. Nick Kyrgios

Dismissing tentatively-phrased questions surrounding his injured knee—one that required a medical timeout in the second set—Kyrgios confirmed he would play his next tournament in Tokyo but admitted that after a re-affirming summer that included a run to the Wimbledon final, he was at a loss on where to go from here.

“Honestly I don't even really care about any other tournament,” he said, dipping his face behind a grey baseball cap. “Like, I feel like at the Grand Slams, now having success at a Grand Slam, it's just like no other tournament really matters.

“It's like you get better, you get worse, then at a Grand Slam none of it matters. You either win or lose. People don't really care if you got better on the day or you lost 4 in the fifth or played one of the best matches of the tournament.”

Kyrgios indeed played one of the best matches of the US Open only one round earlier, dethroning top seed Daniil Medvedev in four spectacular sets in a way that had many thinking he was a contender to lift the trophy—particularly once 22-time Grand Slam champion Rafael Nadal exited the draw.

“I think pretty much every other tournament during the year is a waste of time really,” he continued, adding with an element of dark humor, “You should just run up and show up at a Grand Slam. That's what you're remembered by.”

Despite encouragement a team that includes both friends and girlfriend Costeen Hatzi, Kyrgios was both devastated by the loss and unable to take any positives from the week—clearly overwhelmed by the prospect of keeping the good vibes going long enough to compete at this same level next season.

“I honestly feel like shit,” he said. “I feel like I've let so many people down.” I just don't know…I feel like these four tournaments are the only ones that ever are going to matter. It's just like you got to start it all again. I have to wait till Australian Open.

“It's just devastating. Like, it's heartbreaking. Not just for me, but for everyone that I know that wants me to win.”

It was then that the moderator ended the press conference and Kyrgios took one last walk out of the media center—at least for this year, and hopefully not for the last time.