Nick Kyrgios regrets injured Alex de Minaur dropping out of Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios expressed sadness Alex de Minaur will miss the Australian Open, while hitting back at Alexander Zverev.

Nick Kyrgios of Australia plays a shot during an Australian Open practice session at Melbourne Park on Saturday. Picture: AAP

After meeting Alex de Minaur for breakfast on Saturday, Nick Kyrgios expressed sadness that the nation’s top-ranked male player will miss the Australian Open through injury.

Kyrgios, who will play his opening Australian Open tennis match on Tuesday against Lorenzo Sonego, said de Minaur was everything he had not been as a young man when carrying the hopes of the nation.

“He’s our best player at the moment. He’s set such a good example for us,” he said.

“He’s a great role model. He’s probably things that I wasn’t when I was No 1.

“He works really hard. He does the right things. For him to get injured, miss this tournament, it’s tough to see.”

Alex de Minaur of Australia speaks during a press conference during an Australian Open practice session at Melbourne Park in Melbourne, Thursday, January 16, 2020. (AAP Image/Scott Barbour) NO ARCHIVING, EDITORIAL USE ONLY

Canberran Kyrgios has an opportunity to reclaim Australia’s top ranking over the next fortnight in Melbourne.

But the 2015 Australian Open quarterfinalist said the circumstances that have led to the opportunity were difficult to stomach.

“It’s sad. He’s [de Minaur] a good kid. He’s one of the best players in the world at the moment,” he said.

“We all saw what he can do against Rafa [Nadal] in the ATP Cup. It was an unbelievable match.

“I’m just heartbroken for him. I know how much work he puts in. He’s probably been thinking about the Oz Open for the last couple months.

“For him to have an injury that’s quite serious, it’s not going to be easy for him to watch the tournament, watch us, other Aussies, potentially do well.”

Kyrgios, meanwhile, feels in a good space after a preparation that saw him win three of the four ATP Cup singles rubbers he played.

The 24-year-old rounded out his preparation for the Australian Open when trumping Grigor Dimitrov at Kooyong on Thursday.

Having lived in Melbourne for the best part of two years as a junior, the right-hander said he felt comfortable in his surroundings.

“I’m very familiar with the surroundings. I just feel very at home. I feel very comfortable. I’m just excited,” he said.

“2019 was a tough year for me. [There were] so many ups and downs. Mentally [I] went through the wars.

“[But] I feel good. I feel like I’m just trying to spread a lot of positive vibes around. That’s all I’m trying to do.”

Nick Kyrgios rests at the end of his session as Lleyton Hewitt looks on during Australian Open practice on Saturday. Picture: AAP

Kyrgios has not reached the second week of a major for two years and at least one peer is doubtful of his ability to push deep into this tournament.

Alexander Zverev, who trails the Australian 3-4 in their head-to-head record, said on Friday that there were younger contenders who were more capable of causing concern over the next fortnight than Kyrgios.

“There’s a lot of young guys that are right now, no offence, just better than him,” Zverev said.

“This is not a three-set match where you can win in an hour-and-20 [minutes] and get off the court.

“To beat the best, you have to play at your best for a longer period of time.”

The pair share a rivalry of sorts. During a recent ATP Cup rubber between Zverev and de Minaur in Brisbane, Kyrgios dropped to the ground every time the German double-faulted and did a push-up.

Given Zverev’s struggles on serve, the 2014 Wimbledon quarterfinalist had reason to feel fatigued by the end of the match.

Kyrgios did not wish to discuss the critique at length on Saturday.

“I’m not going to entertain that too much,” he said.

“With everything going on, that’s the least of my worries. He’s a great player.

“I’m not quite sure where those comments come from. I’m sure he didn’t mean them in a bad way.

“But if he did, then I’m sorry for whatever I’ve done to you. I mean, I’m not going to entertain that too much.”