Nick Kyrgios’ return to the Australian Open is in doubt after he pulled out of an exhibition match with an abdominal injury.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist returned to the tour earlier this year in Brisbane, having played just one singles match since October 2022.
Announcing his retirement on Instagram, the 29-year-old said an ultrasound revealed a grade one strain.
He said he would “rest and do everything I can to be good until the Aus Open” which starts on Sunday.
He lost his first singles match in Brisbane, defeated by France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in three tie-break sets, after which he said he “felt like I had been hit by a bus” and reached the second round of the doubles, with Novak Djokovic. .
“I think I almost need a miracle and I need the stars to align for my wrist to last a Grand Slam, for sure,” he said after the singles loss.
“For my wrist, it’s all new ground now. I’m in a lot of pain…that’s what we expected. Another building block on the way today.”
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley expected Kyrgios to play in Melbourne and deemed the withdrawal “precautionary”.
