‘I’m not going to take it for granted, I’ll do absolutely everything I can to get out there’
Nick Kyrgios has talked up his chances of overcoming his injury concerns ahead of the Australian Open but has fuelled more retirement rumours.
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Australian tennis ace Nick Kyrgios says he’s “nearing 100 per cent” to be ready for his return to grand slam tennis at the Australian Open starting on Sunday.
Kyrgios revealed that he’d suffered a grade one abdominal strain which cast doubt on his campaign.
On Thursday he was more optimistic about his body, saying he’s keen to play.
“Look there’s still three days to go, I had a hit today but I didn’t serve,” he said.
“If it’s not one thing it’s another. I’ve done everything I possibly can to come back from a wrist reconstruction. It grabbed in practice so the next couple of days will be pretty light.
“I’m nearing 100 per cent to play. I can take a lot of pain killers and try to tough it out. It could be my last Australian Open and I don’t know how long I’ll be coming to this amazing event.
“It’s one of the best events we have here. I’m not going to take it for granted, I’ll do absolutely everything I can to get out there.”
Often courting controversy, Kyrgios has spent 18 months on the sidelines and made his long-awaited comeback to professional tennis in Australia in the last week of 2024 at the Brisbane International.
He moved well on Thursday playing a light-hearted game of pickleball on the Rooftop at QT alongside Frances Tiafoe and Naomi Osaka.
“I didn’t serve today, rolled a couple of shots over, I’ll do whatever the physios and doctors say and do whatever I can to get out there,” he said.
The former Wimbledon finalist has been drawn to play Brit Jacob Fearley in the first round.
“He took Novak (Djokovic) to four sets at Wimbledon so he’s definitely dangerous and I’ve got a big target on my back,” Kyrgios said.
Kyrgios is also due to reunite with his fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis in the doubles.
Originally published as ‘I’m not going to take it for granted, I’ll do absolutely everything I can to get out there’
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