Nick Kyrgios forced to withdraw from Halle Open in Germany

Nick Kyrgios battled with knee issues in his first match since October and now he’s had to withdraw from a key Wimbledon lead-in event.

Nick Kyrgios is still bothered by a knee injury. Picture: Cristian Kaspar-Bartke/Getty Images

Nick Kyrgios is confident he’ll be able to compete at Wimbledon despite withdrawing from a lead-up event as he deals with a “couple of things” with his troublesome knee.

After bowing out in Stuttgart in an underwhelming return to tennis last week, Kyrgios pulled out of this week‘s Halle Open in Germany, raising fears last year’s Wimbledon finalist may not make it to the tournament.

But instead he said he withdrew to ensure he was able to be competitive in the year’s’ third grand slam.

“Very unfortunate news. I won‘t be able to compete at Halle this year. I’m still dealing with a couple of things with my knee. Just trying to give myself the best opportunity to compete at Wimbledon,“ Kyrgios said in a video statement released by the tournament.

“As you all know, that tournament means a lot to me and I just want to do everything right by my body.

Unfortunately Nick Kyrgios (left knee) withdraws from singles. Get well soon Nick!
He is replaced by Aslan Karatsev. (Lucky Loser) #TWO23#TerraWortmannOpen#Tennis#ATP#ATP500#ATPTour#HalleWestfalen 📸TERRA WORTMANN OPEN/HalleWestfalen pic.twitter.com/4bw5iFxO8p

— TERRA WORTMANN OPEN (@ATPHalle) June 19, 2023

“I tried everything here in Halle the last couple of days, but then I had to make the decision to pull out. I want, when I play, to deliver a performance like last year when I was in the semi-finals, but that will really not be possible.”

Wimbledon begins on July 3 and Kyrgios could enter events in Mallorca or Eastbourne next week to prepare.

Nick Kyrgios is battling injuries. Picture: Simon Stacpoole/Offside/Getty Images

If he misses them he could go into Wimbledon having played just one tour match in nine months.

That one match was a straight-sets loss to grass-court newcomer Wu Yibing from China.

At times during the match Kyrgios could be overheard saying to his team: “I feel my knee every point. I can’t walk without pain.”

After the match, he pleaded for patience.

“Be patient with me my fans please,” he said.

“It‘s a process to get back to where I was.”