Nick Kyrgios under Australian Open injury cloud after withdrawal

Nick Kyrgios has revealed the reason for a shock withdrawal as his long-awaited grand slam return appears under threat.

Australian Open boss Craig Tiley says he is confident Nick Kyrgios will take his place in the main draw at Melbourne Park despite an abdominal strain forcing him out of an exhibition match.

Kyrgios took to social media to announce his withdrawal from Thursday’s “A Night with Novak” event at Rod Laver Arena, saying scans had revealed a grade one abdominal strain.

The setback came only one singles match into his return from knee and wrist injuries that brought his career to a standstill almost two years ago.

Tiley said he was not shocked by the news of Kyrgios’ withdrawal from a slated singles match against Djokovic but insisted there were no fears over his ability to play at Melbourne Park next week.

“I think it’s just precautionary – that’s the word we’ve got from him, and I’ll have a chat to him when he gets in (Wednesday afternoon),” Tiley said.

Nick Kyrgios (left) has withdrawn from a match against Novak Djokovic at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday night. Picture: William West / AFP

“Quite a few players do that, it’s normal that they’ll do that leading into the event … right now, we start on Sunday.

“Nick’s not the only one who’s not doing some of the pre-planned matches over the next few days as they take precautionary measures. No concerns at this point heading into the Australian Open.”

Kyrgios told followers on Instagram he was “doing everything I can” to keep his grand slam comeback on track.

“Unfortunately won’t be able to play my good friend (Djokovic) this Thursday on the 9th as I’ve had an ultrasound on my abdominal and have a grade 1 strain,” Kyrgios wrote.

Nick Kyrgios played his first professional match in 18 months at the Brisbane International last week, where he also played doubles with Djokovic. Picture: Patrick Hamilton / AFP

“Will be resting and doing everything I can to be OK by the Aus Open.”

The opening week A Night with Novak event was set to proceed as planned without the Australian firebrand, with Aryna Sabalenka, Coco Gauff and Alexander Zverev confirmed for a mixed doubles exhibition match earlier on Thursday at 5pm.

“With these … exhibition events, if someone’s not 100 per cent ready to play, then they’re not going to play,” Tiley said.

“For (Kyrgios), he’s got to do what’s best so he can get ready for the Australian Open.”

Kyrgios’ tight three-set defeat to Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Brisbane was his first professional match in 18 months after surgeries for knee and wrist injuries wiped out almost his entire 2023 and 2024 campaigns.

The 29-year-old could have his first-round match scheduled as early as Sunday, with the singles draw to be held on Thursday afternoon.

Originally published as Nick Kyrgios under Australian Open injury cloud after withdrawal