- Nick Kyrgios has broken his silence on a worrying new injury to his abdomen
- Australian star withdrew from exhibition match at Australian Open
Nick Kyrgios has broken his silence on his decision to withdraw from an exhibition event on the eve of the Australian Open, raising some concerns about whether he will be fit to play in the first Slam of the year.
The 29-year-old, who recently made his long-awaited return to the ATP Tour at the Brisbane International last week, revealed on Wednesday that he would opt out of playing an exhibition match ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year.
Kyrgios was set to line up alongside Novak Djokovic at the exhibition event after the pair dazzled fans at the Pat Rafter Arena last week.
He said that after undergoing an ultrasound, doctors confirmed that he had suffered a grade one abdominal distension.
While fears have grown over his fitness to play in Melbourne, Kyrgios has now given fans hope he can return for the first round of the men’s singles tournament.
While he stated that his abdominal strain was “not too serious,” he added that teaming up with Djokovic on Thursday night might not be the best idea, especially considering his recent spate of injuries to his wrists, knees and feet. “I mean, look, I still have five days up my sleeve,” Kyrgios said. 7News.
Nick Kyrgios has broken his silence over his latest injury after the Australian tennis star withdrew from a doubles match alongside Novak Djokovic on the eve of the event.
Kyrgios made his long-awaited return to the ATP Tour last week in Brisbane, but claimed he had suffered a grade one abdominal strain today.
“I probably won’t have to serve for the next few days, I have a couple of practices scheduled and I’ll do everything I can.”
“It’s not too serious,” he added, in news that will delight fans.
‘I’ll take it day by day and give myself the best opportunity.
“Obviously playing a match, a set, tomorrow night with Novak is probably not the best preparation for me in trying to force that.
‘I will do so accordingly. I know my body.’
Kyrgios was defeated last week by Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a third-set tiebreaker last week in the men’s singles in Brisbane.
While he suffered defeat, Kyrgios seemingly dispelled any doubts that his tennis was a little rusty, displaying some outstanding tennis skills and knowledge on the court.
In the doubles event, he and Djokovic had fans on their feet inside the Pat Rafter Arena.
Novak Djokovic (left) and Kyrgios (right) teamed up last week at the Brisbane International and dazzled fans at the event.
Kyrgios stated that he would not play again if he did not believe he could still entertain fans.
It was an impressive double act, with tennis great Kyrgios admitting he would have hung up his racket by now if he didn’t think he could still excite fans.
“I wouldn’t be playing if I didn’t think I could give (the fans) some entertainment and fun on the court,” he added.
“I felt that in Brisbane. I only played three games, but I felt they were the three most entertaining games of those three weeks.
“I still feel like I have a little bit left to give to the fans.”
But some concerns still revolve around his injury history and whether the Australian Open could come too soon for him.
“If my body feels good, I still feel like my level is there,” he added.
‘Perricard made it to the semi-finals in Brisbane and I was a couple of points away from beating him.
“But I still feel like I can go up against some of the best players in the world.
The star’s announcement (pictured) left fans fearing the worst after the star was forced to withdraw from the 2023 Australian Open just days before play was due to begin.
“But right now my priority is to get my body back and enjoy it again.”
“I have my entire team here and I feel like a veteran on the tour.
‘I’m just going to enjoy these last stages of my career and not get too stressed.
‘If I lose, I lose. “I’ve had a really good career and I’m going to enjoy it.”