Picture Credit: X
Day after being named in Australia’s squad for the upcoming Davis Cup clash against Sweden, Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the upcoming exhibition match against Novak Djokovic due to injury concerns. Kyrgios, who recently marked his return in competitive tennis after 2022, is set to miss the exhibition match due to abdominal strain.
The 29-year-old Australian player returned to tennis last week in Brisbane International, following a knee and wrist surgery. Kyrgios featured in the men’s doubles alongside Novak Djokovic as the duo went onto beat Australia’s Alexander Erler and Germany’s Andreas Mies. Djokovic-Kyrgios duo then ended their doubles run after a defeat against top-seeded Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus 6-2, 3-6, 10-8.
Nick Kyrgios doubtful for Australian Open after sustaining abdominal strain
Taking to his Instagram story, Nick Kyrgios revealed that he has undergone an ultrasound, which confirmed grade 1 abdominal strain. Confirming his decision to pull out of the exhibition match against 24-time Grand Slam champion, he also expressed his intention to rest and recover in time for the upcoming AO 2025.
“Unfortunately won’t be able to play my good friend this Thursday on the 9 th as I’ve had an ultrasound on my abdominal and have a grade 1 strain,” he wrote on his story. Notably, the two were scheduled to face each other in a charity singles match on Thursday, January 9 at the Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park.
But the recent concerns have raised speculations on Nick Kyrgios’ participation in the upcoming Australian Open, which is set to be played from 12 to 26 January 2025 in Melbourne.
