‘I’ll do everything I can’: Kyrgios speaks out as fresh injury threatens his Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios says serving is off the cards for a few days to give himself every chance to be fit for the start of the Australian Open on Sunday.

The 29-year-old said he’ll carefully monitor the final stages of his preparations for his home slam after a fresh injury threatened his involvement.

On target to play the Melbourne major for the first time in three years – when he won the grand slam doubles title with Thanasi Kokkinakis – Kyrgios revealed a low-level abdominal strain on Wednesday, causing him to pull out of an exhibition match with Novak Djokovic.

Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic in the first round of the men’s doubles in Brisbane.Credit: Getty Images

Kyrgios said he would do “everything I can” to be ready his first major since the 2022 US Open.

Nick Kyrgios’ post on Instagram.Credit: Instagram

“I’ve still got five days up my sleeve, so I’m just going to probably not serve for the next couple of days,” Kyrgios told Seven on Wednesday.

“I’ve got a couple of practices scheduled. I’ll do everything I can [to be ready in time].”

Kyrgios was due to play an exhibition singles match against the 24-time grand slam champion at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday night to kick off “A Night with Novak”, but he withdrew because of a grade-one abdominal strain.

Australian Open boss Craig Tiley downplayed the injury concern for one of the biggest drawcards in tennis. “I’ll have a chat to him when he gets in this afternoon, but it’s just precautionary [and] quite a few players do that [withdraw] – it’s normal,” Tiley said.

“Nick’s not the only one who’s not doing some of the planned matches over the next few days as they take precautionary measures for next week.

“[There are] no concerns at this point heading into the Australian Open … with these exhibition events we have. If someone’s not 100 per cent ready to play, then they’re not going to play.

“He’s got to do what’s best for him to get ready for the Australian Open. Nick will play.”

Kyrgios played his first matches in 18 months in Brisbane last week, including a three-set singles defeat to France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard and two doubles contests alongside Djokovic.

He had played only once in the previous two years, firstly because of knee surgery then a serious wrist injury that required further surgery.

Kyrgios said in Brisbane he would “almost need a miracle” for his wrist to hold up in the Australian Open and that he felt like he had been “hit by a bus” after his first doubles match.

The abdominal issue was not on anyone’s radar until Kyrgios revealed his latest ailment on social media.

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

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

Kyrgios has barely been out of the headlines this summer, from his sustained attacks on Jannik Sinner and his anti-doping case, to Kyrgios’ shock return from the Davis Cup wilderness.

He has not played for Australia in the competition since 2019, but was named in the Australian squad this week.

Team spearhead Alex de Minaur welcomed Kyrgios’ return to the Davis Cup fold.

“Nick’s been sidelined for a couple of years with this injury, and he wasn’t really sure if he was going to come back to tennis or not,” de Minaur told this masthead.

“He’s someone who’s obviously always enjoyed playing in a team environment, so he was very excited to be back in the fold.

“Of course, there are still some question marks because, as he said, he’s not sure how his body’s going to pull up, how his wrist is going to pull up, if he’ll be able to handle the load of even playing a slam.

“Nick’s one of the most talented players out there. No one’s ever going to argue that, and on any given day, he is not one you want to step on court with.”

Fellow Australian Jordan Thompson appears to have played a key role in bringing Kyrgios back into the squad.

“Jordan’s spent the most time with him. They’re very close,” de Minaur said.

“They’ve been able to train in Sydney together a fair bit and they played in the exho in Abu Dhabi [in December].

“I don’t spend as much time in Australia – it’s only the Australian summer – so it’s small snippets I get to see him around.

“I think he’s just excited to be back in the tennis world, and wanted to be a part of it, so it’s great to have him in the team.”

With Scott Spits

News, results and expert analysis from the weekend of sport are sent every Monday. Sign up for our Sport newsletter.