Australian Open: Fresh injury puts Nick Kyrgios' return in doubt
Nick Kyrgios has hit another injury obstacle as an abdominal strain saw him withdraw from a planned exhibition match alongside Novak Djokovic; Australian Open begins on Sunday January 12
Wednesday 8 January 2025 13:03, UK
Nick Kyrgios' Australian Open return is in doubt after he withdrew from an exhibition match with an abdominal injury.
The Wimbledon 2022 finalist returned to the tour last week in Brisbane, having only played one singles match since October 2022.
Announcing his withdrawal on Instagram, the 29-year-old said an ultrasound had revealed a grade one strain.
He said he would be "resting and doing everything I can to be OK by the Aus Open" which begins on Sunday.
He lost his opening singles match in Brisbane, beaten by France's Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in three tie-break sets, after which he said he "felt like I had been hit by a bus" and reached the second round in the doubles, partnering Novak Djokovic.
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"I think I almost need a miracle, and I need the stars to align for my wrist to hold up in a grand slam, for sure," he said after his singles defeat.
"For my wrist, it's all new ground now. It's very sore... we were expecting that. Today is another building block in the journey."
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley expected Kyrgios to play in Melbourne, and he thought the withdrawal was "precautionary."
"Nick's not the only one not doing some of their pre-planned matches over the next few days," said Tiley. "There's no concerns ahead of the Open."
