Nick Kyrgios underwent knee surgery after pulling out of the 2023 Australian Open and spent five months on the sidelines; the 28-year-old was also absent from the French Open, Wimbledon and the US Open
Saturday 9 December 2023 14:05, UK
Nick Kyrgios has confirmed his withdrawal from next month’s Australian Open for a second successive year due to ongoing injury problems.
The 28-year-old Australian announced on Saturday that he will miss the tournament, which gets under way on January 14.
Kyrgios pulled out of the Melbourne major at the start of this year and was out for five months after undergoing surgery on his left knee.
He then missed the French Open due to a foot injury and pulled out of Wimbledon with a wrist ligament problem that also forced him out of the US Open.
"This is a very disappointing time for me, but I won't be able to compete at the 2024 Australian Open," Kyrgios said on the online platform OnlyFans, which he joined on Friday.
"Obviously, heartbreaking. I've had so many amazing memories there, and I just want to really get back to playing at the top of my game and doing it right, and I need a little more time.
"I was so close to winning a Grand Slam. I want to make sure that my body is going to have the time it needs to come back, so please bear with me."
Kyrgios' injury woes followed a stellar 2022 campaign in which he reached the Wimbledon final, won the Washington title and made the quarter-finals at Flushing Meadows.
His name was notably absent when the main draw for the Australian Open was announced on Thursday, but he is expected to attend the tournament in a TV commentary role.
Kyrgios has yet to better his 2015 quarter-final appearance in Melbourne, although he did partner fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis to doubles success two years ago.
Andy Murray, who reached the 2016 final, is one of four British players in the men's singles draw alongside Cameron Norrie, Dan Evans and Jack Draper.
Katie Boulter and Jodie Burrage head the British challenge in the women's singles, while former US Open champion Emma Raducanu will be aiming to secure qualification when she launches her comeback at the Auckland Open, live on Sky Sports, early next month.
