Nick Kyrgios’ return to the Australian Open is in doubt after he withdrew from an exhibition match with an abdominal injury.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist returned to the tour in Brisbane last week and has played just one singles match since October 2022.
The 29-year-old announced his departure on Instagram, saying an ultrasound revealed a grade 1 strain.
He said he would rest and do his best to be okay for the Aus Open, which starts on Sunday.
He said he “felt like I’d been hit by a bus” after losing in three tie-break sets to France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in his first singles match in Brisbane, before teaming up with Novak Djokovic to reach the second round of doubles. .
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Nick Kyrgios and Novak Djokovic were involved in a thrilling rally against Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus at the Brisbane International.
“I think it almost takes a miracle, you really need the stars to align your wrist to win a Grand Slam,” he said after the singles loss.
“My wrist is now in a whole new horizon. It was very sore… We were looking forward to it. Today is another component of the journey.”
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley said he expected Kyrgios to play in Melbourne and believed the withdrawal was “precautionary”.
