- Nick Kyrgios could miss the Australian Open
- Drawcard is struggling with an abdominal injury
Nick Kyrgios is in danger of missing the Australian Open after an abdominal injury, but tournament director Craig Tiley is confident his star will play.
The polarizing Australian was ready for his comeback at Melbourne Park next week, which would be his first major since the 2022 US Open.
He is sidelined with career-threatening wrist and knee injuries that required three rounds of surgery.
After officially returning from injury last week at the Brisbane International, where he played in singles and teamed former world No. 1 Novak Djokovic in doubles, Kyrgios revealed his comeback could be cut short.
He posted on Instagram on Wednesday that he had withdrawn from an exhibition event with Djokovic in Melbourne on Thursday but still had hopes of adapting to the slam.
“Unfortunately I won’t be able to play against my good friend (Djokovic) on Thursday because I had an ultrasound of my abdomen and have a grade 1 strain,” Kyrgios wrote.
Nick Kyrgios is in danger of missing the Australian Open after an abdominal injury, but tournament director Craig Tiley is confident his star will play
Tiley told reporters that Kyrgios’ withdrawal from a friendly against Novak Djokovic was ‘just a precaution’
“I will rest and do everything I can to be fine at the Aus Open.”
Tiley was asked about the Canberran’s participation later on Wednesday and was confident Kyrgios would take part, with the tournament set to start on Sunday.
“Nick’s going to play,” Tiley said. “I think it’s a precaution, that’s the word we got from him.
‘There are quite a few players who do that (withdraw from an exhibition). It’s normal, and Nick isn’t the only one not doing some of their pre-scheduled matches in the coming days.
‘There are no worries in the run-up to the Open.’
Before Brisbane, 29-year-old Kyrgios had played just one ATP Tour match in more than two years and said he had considered giving tennis away.
But the former world number 13, who is currently unranked, said he still had grand slam ambitions.
Kyrgios’ last Australian Open was in 2022, when he reached the second round in singles and won the doubles title with compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis
The draw for the Australian Open will take place on Thursday, with Kyrgios given a protected ranking of number 21.
His last Open was in 2022, when he reached the second round in singles and won the doubles title with compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Later that year, he reached his first grand slam singles final, losing to Djokovic at Wimbledon.
The latest injury also threatens his participation in the upcoming Davis Cup match, with Kyrgios this week making a surprise selection to play against Sweden in Stockholm from January 31.
It would be the first Davis Cup appearance since 2019 for the 2022 Wimbledon finalist.