Nick Kyrgios is doubtful for the Australian Open after pulling out of a pre-tournament exhibition match towards Novak Djokovic as a result of an belly pressure.
The polarising Australian was primed for his Melbourne Park comeback subsequent week, which might be his first main for the reason that 2022 US Open.
He has been sidelined with career-threatening wrist and knee accidents that required three rounds of surgical procedure.
After making his official return from damage eventually week’s Brisbane Worldwide, the place he performed singles and partnered former world No.1 Novak Djokovic within the doubles, Kyrgios revealed his comeback could possibly be reduce quick.
He posted to Instagram on Wednesday that he had withdrawn from an exhibition occasion with Djokovic in Melbourne on Thursday, however was nonetheless hopeful of suiting up for the slam.
“Sadly received’t be capable of play my good pal (Djokovic) this Thursday as I’ve had an ultrasound on my belly and have a grade 1 pressure,” Kyrgios wrote.
“Can be resting and doing the whole lot I can to be OK by the Aus Open.”
Austrlaian Open boss Craig Tiley was assured Kyrgios would play the match.
“Nick can be taking part in,” Tiley stated.
“I feel it’s simply precautionary, that’s the phrase we’ve received from him.
“Fairly just a few gamers try this (withdraw from an exhibition). It’s regular, and Nick’s not the one one not doing a few of their pre-planned matches over the subsequent few days.
“There’s no considerations forward of the Open.”
The most recent damage additionally threatens his participation within the upcoming Davis Cup tie, with Kyrgios a shock choice this week to face Sweden in Stockholm from January 31.
It might be the primary Davis Cup look since 2019 for the 2022 Wimbledon finalist.
Earlier than Brisbane the 29-year-old had managed only one ATP Tour match in additional than two years and stated he’d contemplated giving tennis away.
Nick Kyrgios of Australia performs a forehand (Picture by Bradley Kanaris/Getty Photos)
However the one-time world No.13, who’s presently unranked, stated he nonetheless had grand slam ambitions.
Kyrgios confirmed off a few of his prodigious expertise final week, regardless of he and Djokovic bowing out in a good loss within the second spherical.
He had fallen to French star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in his long-awaited singles return the earlier night time.
After that conflict, Kyrgios stated his physique had felt “actually good” apart from his injured wrist.
“I felt comparatively fairly good bodily,” Kyrgios stated in Brisbane.
“My legs and my physique felt actually good. I felt match and I’m in nice form, however clearly felt some discomfort with the wrist.”
The draw for the Australian Open takes place on Thursday, with Kyrgios given a protected rating of No.21.
His final Open was in 2022, when he reached the second spherical in singles and received the doubles title with fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Later that 12 months he reached his first singles grand slam closing, shedding to Djokovic at Wimbledon.
© AAP
