Australian tennis firebrand Nick Kyrgios is in doubt for his home Open after revealing an abdominal injury.
He posted to Instagram on Wednesday announcing he had withdrawn from an exhibition event with Novak Djokovic on Thursday, but is still hopeful of lining up at Melbourne Park for the grand slam.
The 29-year-old was scheduled to play in A Night with Novak but will instead focus on preparing for the main event, which starts on Sunday.
"Unfortunately won't be able to play my good friend (Djokovic) this Thursday as I've had an ultrasound on my abdominal and have a grade 1 strain," Kyrgios posted.
"Will be resting and doing everything I can to be OK by the Aus Open."
Kyrgios has not played the Australian Open since 2022 due to injury.
He went out in the second round that year and subsequently missed Roland-Garros, but then made it to a Wimbledon final and the last eight of the US Open in what was his best year on tour.
Nick Kyrgios reacts during the Brisbane International. Getty
But injuries cruelled him in 2023 and 2024.
He made his Australian return at the Brisbane International last week but lost his first round singles match against big-serving Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.
Following that three-set match Kyrgios said his wrist was "throbbing".
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"I was really excited for the Aus Open, but after today… obviously I'm (still) super excited. If I'm able to play, I'm able to play. But the reality kind of set in to me," Kyrgios said after his loss in Brisbane.
"(Brisbane International is) a best-of-three (sets) match with my wrist. Not only is a grand slam mentally really draining, like you're there for two-and-a-half, three weeks (but) it's, like, physically a grind.
"It's one of the hardest things to do in any sport, is win a grand slam in men's tennis.
"I think I almost need a miracle, and I need the stars to align for my wrist to hold up in a grand slam, for sure.
"Today, if this was a grand slam, we may still be out on court, and I don't know how I'd pull up the next day or the day after."
Kyrgios made it to an Australian Open quarter final in 2015 but has not gone further than the fourth round since.
The Australian Open draw takes place on Thursday afternoon.
