Australian Open 2023: Nick Kyrgios mentored Jason Kubler just minutes before he announced his injury withdrawal to the world

After receiving devastating injury news on Monday, Nick Kyrgios chose to focus on helping countryman Jason Kubler, writes ADAM PEACOCK.

A shattered Nick Kyrgios announces his withdrawal from the Australian Open. Picture: James D. Morgan/Getty Images

In breaking news (to some), Nick Kyrgios does care about tennis.

He always has, actually.

But his way.

Not your way.

Not Lleyton’s way.

Not Novak’s way.

Nick Kyrgios during the warm-up showcase that cast doubt over his knee’s ability to stand up to tournament play. Picture: Mark Stewart

The evidence was there for all to see on Monday. In the period between receiving confirmation his knee required tournament-ending surgery and fronting the media to tell the world about it, Kyrgios was in the bowels of Rod Laver Arena and outside the locker room talking to a nervous Jason Kubler.

Kubler, who has endured six knee operations and a career’s worth of pain to transition from the world’s best junior in 2010 to a career-high ranking of 84 today, was about to play his first round match against Sebastien Baez, an Argentinian ranked 40 places higher than him.

Kubler had never won an Australian Open match. He had taken just two sets from his three previous visits to the first round dating back to 2010. He had not made it out of qualifying in any of the last three years.

He was jumpy.

Kyrgios calmed him. He provided Kubler with a ton of tips on Baez, whom Kyrgios had twice defeated last year in ATP 1000 events in Canada and Indian Wells. Hard and flat to the Baez backhand appeared to be the crux of the conversation.

What Kyrgios didn’t tell Kubler was the story of his own pain. Fifteen minutes later, Kyrgios went upstairs to the main press centre and announced his withdrawal from a tournament he had primed himself for.

As for Kubler? He attacked the Baez backhand and won his first ever match at his home grand slam, 13 years after his first appearance at Melbourne Park.

One of the most satisfying days of his career came just hours after one of the more deflating for Kyrgios. Kubler knows what it is to return from knee surgery. Now, it is Kyrgios’ turn.

Some words of wisdom from Kyrgios helped calm Jason Kubler ahead of his first ever Australian Open win. Picture: Darrian Traynor/Getty Images

The timing of this injury is clearly far from ideal, both because of its proximity to his home grand slam and the fact it comes hot on the heels of his captivating 2022 campaign. His deep run at Wimbledon last year reminded all, in case it was needed, that Kyrgios still possesses the same giant-slaying arsenal that has entranced tennis watchers for a decade.

And the fact he played 47 matches last year – 12 more than his average since 2014 and the most since 2017 – suggests body and mind are more simpatico than they‘ve been for years. In the span of 10 months in 2022, Kyrgios’ ranking rose from 137, its lowest ebb since 2014, to 21, its highest since 2020.

Kyrgios’ media conference on Monday featured words and body language that suggested genuine care.

He said he was devastated and he looked it.

The news was something of a blow to tournament organisers, despite the genuine buzz around Melbourne Park after several Covid-interrupted years.

Kyrgios is the ultimate appointment viewing.

Love him or hate him, for few are indifferent, the Australian Open will be without a summer ritual: watching Kyrgios hit his slap forehand, lose it with his crew, start a verbal with the chair umpire and challenge the world’s best. Sometimes in that order.

Novak Djokovic will be a relieved man. There is no Kyrgios in his quarter anymore. That said, tennis fans would do well to watch this space, too.

Djokovic has cancelled his practice twice in two days. Fears were somewhat allayed when pictures emerged of the nine-time winner hitting at an offsite court around dinner time, but only time will tell as to Djokovic’s fitness.

Novak Djokovic now has a significantly smoother path to the semi-finals after Kyrgios’ withdrawal. Picture: William West/ AFP

But back to Kyrgios.

He has skipped five straight French Opens due to an aversion to clay and the 2020 US Open due to travel restrictions but, those tournaments aside, he has not missed a big event through injury until now.

Kyrgios enjoyed something of a traditional bleed-to-succeed preparation ahead of last year’s Australian Open. He’d put in the work. His quads – the canary in the coalmine when it comes to signs a tennis player has prepared – were defined. And look what happened. The rock solid base set in pre-season ultimately provided a launch pad for a Wimbledon final.

Fast forward to today and, just when Kyrgios felt like he could ping off the 2022 momentum to something greater, a little bubble on the side of his knee stopped him.

For now. Kyrgios will return. His message on Instagram, the carrier pigeon of the modern world, was clear.

“Man … this one hurts, to all my fans, I will be back stronger.”