Nick Kyrgios' Australian Open hopes are in jeopardy after he withdrew from a pre-tournament exhibition match against Novak Djokovic.
The Australian Open is set to begin on Sunday, with Kyrgios listed under a protected ranking of 21.
Taking to Instagram, the 29-year-old Australian expressed his disappointment. “Unfortunately won't be able to play my good friend [Novak Djokovic] this Thursday on the 9th as I've had an ultrasound on my abdominal and have a grade 1 strain,” he wrote.
“Will be resting and doing everything I can to be OK by the AusOpen.”
Kyrgios and Djokovic played two doubles games as partners at the Brisbane International last week, marking Kyrgios' first matches on the ATP Tour since 2023.
His Brisbane International singles tournament journey was cut early after being knocked out in round 1 by Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
“My legs and my body felt really good. I felt fit and I'm in great shape, but obviously felt some discomfort with the wrist,” Kyrgios said in his post-match interview.
The re-aggravation of the wrist injury that saw him take an almost two-year hiatus from the game, alongside the abdominal strain, could spell disaster for Kyrgio's career restart.
While the Canberra-born tennis star once had a quarter-final finish at the 2015 Australian Open, he has not played in his home Grand Slam since 2022. The 2022 tournament saw him reach the second round in singles and win the doubles title with fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis.
The draw for the Australian Open will take place on Thursday, with 10 Australian men confirmed starters.
