Nick Kyrgios’ return to the Australian Open is in doubt after he pulled out of the exhibition match with an abdominal injury.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist returned to the tour last week in Brisbane, having played just one singles match since October 2022.
Announcing his exit on Instagram, the 29-year-old said an ultrasound revealed a first-degree strain.
He said he would “rest and do everything to do well” at the Aus Open, which starts on Sunday.
He lost his opening singles match in Brisbane, defeated France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Pericard in three tie-break sets, after which he said he “felt like I’d been hit by a bus”, and advanced to the second round of the doubles with partner Novak Djokovic. .
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Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic took part in a thrilling showdown at the Brisbane International against Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus.
“I think I almost need a miracle and I need the stars to align for my wrist to hold up at a Grand Slam,” she said after her singles loss.
“It’s all new to my wrist now. It’s very sore…we’ve been waiting for it. Another building block in the journey.”
Australian Open director Craig Tiley expected Kyrgios to play in Melbourne and he believed the withdrawal was “precautionary”.
