- Tennis bad boy has only played one match in 2023
- Needed surgery for a knee injury he suffered in January
- Recently turned his hand into TV commentary
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley has significantly softened his language on Nick Kyrgios’ likely availability for the tournament, casting doubt over whether the star will appear in court in January.
Tiley said last month that he “fully expected” Kyrgios to play in January, but told reporters on Thursday that the 28-year-old would have to consider what is best for his health with the full 2024 season ahead of him.
Kyrgios played just one match in 2023 after withdrawing from all four grand slams due to a persistent knee injury and a torn ligament in his wrist ahead of Wimbledon.
His world ranking has fallen to 192, with Tiley suggesting the explosive star would be given a wildcard if he was fit to play.
Kyrgios had a stellar 2022 as he reached the men’s singles final at Wimbledon (pictured) – but he played just one match in 2023 after a knee injury ruined his lead at this year’s Aussie Open
The 28-year-old has turned his hand to TV commentary for Tennis Channel during his long layoff due to knee surgery and a torn ligament in his wrist
“We have spoken to Nick and he obviously wants to do his best to give him the best opportunity to play in January…Nick’s position will be determined closer to the event,” Tiley said.
‘I think whatever gives him the best chance to progress over the year… we have wildcard exchanges with the French and Wimbledon, so there’s an opportunity to really help an Australian player not just one tournament to have, but several, so we We’ll weigh all that to make a decision. We have wildcards to do that.
‘Whether he plays or does something else, Nick will be here in January and it will be great to get him playing, but we have to take it as it comes and he has to take care of his health…’ because he not only has January, but also the whole year (ahead).”
Tiley said Rafael Nadal still looked ready to take his place in the men’s draw as he recovered from arthroscopic hip surgery in June.
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley (pictured with Australian greats Sam Stosur and Todd Woodbridge) was optimistic about Kyrgios’ performance in 2024, but he has now changed his tune
“Rafa has been training, I follow him closely, probably every day, because he is a huge draw for us,” he said.
“He wants to play, he clearly intends to play… I’m sure Rafa will be here because he doesn’t want to miss the opportunity to repeat what he did a few years ago.”
The Australian Open will include an extra day of play in 2024, starting a day earlier on Sunday, January 14, in an effort to reduce the number of late finishes early in the tournament.
Tiley said the extra day for scheduling the first round would mean there would be one fewer match on each court during the day session and more matches would be played with protection from the weather on the covered courts, but he conceded that little could be done to stop the hard-fought matches afterward. the first round continued until the early morning.
“It’s an important mitigation measure, but it doesn’t guarantee there won’t be late finishes either,” he said.