Nick Kyrgios has broken his silence on his decision to withdraw from an exhibition event on the eve of the Australian Open which has sparked some concern over whether he will be fit to play at the first slam of the year.
The 29-year-old, who recently made his much-anticipated ATP Tour comeback at the Brisbane International last week, revealed on Wednesday that he was opting out of playing an exhibition match on the eve of the first Grand Slam of the year.
Kyrgios was set to line up alongside Novak Djokovic in the exhibition event after the pair had dazzled fans at the Pat Rafter Arena last week.
He stated that after undergoing an ultrasound doctors had confirmed he had suffered a grade one abdominal strain.
While fears have mounted over his fitness to play in Melbourne, Kyrgios has now given fans hope that he could return for the first round of the men’s singles tournament.
While claiming that his abdominal strain was ‘not to serious’ he addd that teaming up with Djokovic on Thursday night might not be the best idea, especially considering his recent spate of wrist, knee and foot injuries. ‘I mean, look, I’ve still got five days up my sleeve,’ Kyrgios told 7News.
Nick Kyrgios has broken his silence on his latest injury woe after the Aussie tennis star withdrew from from a doubles match alongside Novak Djokovic on the eve of the event
Kyrgios made his much anticipated return to the ATP Tour last week in Brisbane but claimed he had suffered a grade one abdominal strain earlier today
‘I’ve got to probably not serve for the next couple of days, I’ve got a couple of practices scheduled and I’ll do everything I can.
‘It’s not too serious,’ he added, in news that will delight fans.
‘I’ll just take it day-by-day and give myself the best chance.
‘Obviously playing a match, a set, tomorrow night with Novak is probably not the best preparation for me in trying to force that.
‘I’ll just go about it accordingly. I know my body.’
Surprisingly, Kyrgios was also included in Lleyton Hewitt’s squad for the Davis Cup, with his last appearance for Australia in the tournament coming back in 2019.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist is now due to join the team for their qualifying ties in Sweden on January 31 and February 1.
It came after rumours had swirled that the tennis star had fallen out with the Davis Cup captain.
Lleyton Hewitt (left) was seen at Melbourne Park this week watching his son Cruz in action. He has picked Kyrgios in his Davis Cup team, with the Aussie star denying any divide between the pair
Today, he brushed off any claims of there being a divide in their relationship, or his friendship with other members of the Hewiitt family.
‘I’ve always had a rough injury road in the last four to five years,’ he said.
‘I think, honestly me and Lleyton Hewitt’s relationship has been great the entire time, pretty much.
‘I think it’s the media who have tried to stir the pot.
‘I hit with his son all the time, and there’s been a media thing going on with that lately.
‘Me and that entire family have a great relationship.
‘Lleyton has always been super accommodating for me and he said to me: “If you’re ready to go we’d love to have you in the team.”
‘I feel like I could help. Before I got injured I was one of the best players in the world alongside [Alex] De Minaur, the way Jordan Thompson’s playing and the way Thanasi [Kokkinakis]’s level can by quite high. I think we’ve got a real chance to win it.’
Kyrgios was beaten last week by Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a third set tiebreak last week in last week’s mens singles in Brisbane.
While he suffered defeat, Kyrgios seemingly quashed any doubts over his tennis being a little rusty, showcasing some outstanding skills and tennis knowledge around the court.
In the doubles event, he and Djokovic had fans inside the Pat Rafter Arena on their feet.
Novak Djokovic (left) and Kyrgios (right) partnered up last week at the Brisbane International and dazzled fans at the event
Kyrgios claimed that he wouldn’t be back playing if he didn’t think he could entertain fans still
It was an impressive double act, with tennis’ great entertainer, Kyrgios, admitting that he would have hung up the racket by now if he didn’t think he could still excite fans.
‘I wouldn’t be playing if I didn’t think I could give [fans] some entertainment and some fun on the court,’ he added.
‘I felt that in Brisbane. I only played three matches, but I felt like they were the three most entertaining matches in those three weeks.
‘I still feel like I’ve got a little bit left to give to the fans.’
But concerns some still revolve around his injury record and whether the Australian Open might be coming a little too soon for him.
‘If my body feels good, I still feel like my level is right there,’ he added.
‘Perricard made the semi-finals of Brisbane and I was a couple of points away from beating him.
‘But I still feel like I can match up with some of the best players in the world.
The star’s announcement (pictured) had his fans fearing the worst after the star was forced to pull out of the 2023 Australian Open just days before play began
‘But right now my priority is to just get my body right and just enjoy being around it all again.
‘I’ve got my whole team here and I feel like a bit of a veteran on tour.
‘I’m just going to enjoy these later stages of my career and not stress too much.
‘If I lose, I lose. I’ve had a really good career and I’m just going to enjoy it.’
