Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios withdraws from singles in Atlanta with knee injury

An knee injury just before the US Open is not the news Nick Kyrgios wanted after his epic run at Wimbledon.

Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the singles at the Atlanta Open. Picture: Adam Hagy/Getty Images/AFP

Nick Kyrgios said he was “shattered” to withdraw from the Atlanta Open with a knee injury as his US Open preparations took a blow.

Kyrgios addressed the crowd after withdrawing just before his opening match with Peter Gojowczyk.

But while he ended his singles campaign, Kyrgios was hopeful his knee would be good to go in time for his quarter-final doubles match alongside fellow countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis.

“First of all, I just want to say I’m extremely shattered that I’m not able to compete tonight,” Kyrgios said.

“I’ve won this tournament once and I’ve played probably some of the best tennis of my career. All I wanted to do was come out here and give you guys a show, obviously just see what I’m capable of.

“But I’m unable to give out my best performance today and I’m just extremely sorry. But I’m going to keep my hopes up and maybe be able to continue doubles with Thanasi this week.

Nick Kyrgios is still hopeful of playing doubles with Thanasi Kokkinakis in Atlanta Picture: Adam Hagy/Getty Images/AFP

“I hope you all won’t be too hard on me, I was going to come out here and see you guys face-to-face to tell you that I love you guys and hopefully next year in singles I’ll be able to compete and give it my all.”

The US Open begins on August 29 and Kyrgios is likely to go in unseeded after his Atlanta withdrawal cruelled his chances to rise up the world rankings after his epic march to the Wimbledon final.