The Australian Open tournament director is confident Nick Kyrgios will play in the Grand Slam after he pulled out of an exhibition match on Thursday.
The former top-20 player was due to play Novak Djokovic in Melbourne before announcing his withdrawal due to injury. Kyrgios has suffered a grade one strain in his abdominal region and has chosen to rest. The setback comes a week after he returned to the Tour at the Brisbane International following an 18-month injury-related absence.
“Unfortunately won’t be able to play my good friend (Djokovic) this Thursday as I’ve had an ultrasound on my abdominal and have a grade 1 strain,” Kyrgios wrote on social media.
“Will be resting and doing everything I can to be OK by the Aus Open.”
In recent days, there have been concerns over Kyrgios’ physical fitness after he told reporters last week he ‘needs the stars to align‘ for his wrist to hold up whilst playing at a major event. Since then, he hasn’t spoken any further about his wrist with the main problem now appearing to be his abdomen.
Kyrgios, who has won seven ATP titles during his career, has only been able to play at one other major since reaching the final of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. If he plays in Melbourne next week, he will be the first time he has done so for three years.
Whilst Kyrgios’ fitness remains uncertain, Australian Open chief Craig Tiley has insisted that his compatriot’s withdrawal on Thursday was just a precaution and is confident he will be playing next week.
“Nick will be playing,” Tiley told local media.
“I think it’s just precautionary, that’s the word we’ve got from him.
“Quite a few players do that (withdraw from an exhibition). It’s normal, and Nick’s not the only one not doing some of their pre-planned matches over the next few days.
“There’s no concerns ahead of the Open.”
Last week in Brisbane, the 29-year-old lost a tightly contested first round match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard. He also played in the doubles draw alongside Djokovic where the duo won their opening match before getting beaten by the top seeds.
The Australian Open draw will take place on Thursday with the first round of matches scheduled to get underway on Sunday. Jannik Sinner and Aryna Sabalenka are the defending champions.
