Nick Kyrgios says he is doing everything he can to be fit for the Australian Open after withdrawing from an exhibition match due to an abdominal strain.
The 29-year-old said he was left in “throbbing” pain after his first-round defeat by Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard last week at the Brisbane International – his first singles match in 18 months.
He was scheduled to play in the exhibition alongside Novak Djokovic on Thursday, but he wrote on Instagram an ultrasound had revealed a grade one strain.
Australian Kyrgios added he would be resting ahead of the first Grand Slam of the year, which starts in Melbourne on Sunday.
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley is expecting Kyrgios to play and he believes the withdrawal is “precautionary”.
Kyrgios, who is aiming to resume his career following knee and wrist surgeries, made his competitive comeback in the men’s doubles in Brisbane alongside 24-time major winner Djokovic.
But after his narrow loss to Perricard in the singles, Kyrgios said he thought he would “almost need a miracle” for his “wrist to hold up” in Melbourne.
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