KEY POINTS
- Nick Kyrgios will undergo surgery on his left knee
- Kyrgios won the Australian Open in doubles category last year
- Denis Kudla will replace injured Kyrgios in the 2023 tournament
Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the Australian Open a day before he was scheduled to play his opening match.
Kyrgios confirmed Monday that he would not compete in the Australian Open due to a knee injury. The local player announced his decision in a press conference at Melbourne Park after the tournament went underway.
The Australian player, who won the Melbourne Grand Slam in the doubles category last year, revealed he has a parameniscal cyst in his left meniscus and a small tear in his lateral meniscus.
Australian Open later confirmed that American player Denis Kudla, who lost in the qualifiers, will replace Kyrgios in the men’s singles main draw.
This is the first time Kyrgios is missing Australian Open since his debut in 2014. The World No. 21 player will require arthroscopic surgery, according to Aljazeera.
Kyrgios, who is hoping to be back on tour by Indian Wells in March, said it was “just bad timing” and he could probably take inspiration from someone like “Thanasi Kokkinakis who has had a bunch of injuries and has bounced back.” Kyrgios and Kokkinakis won the Australian Open doubles title in the 2022 edition.
“That’s life. Injury is a part of the sport. I’m not doubting I will be back to my full strength and playing the tennis I was playing prior to this event. I’m devastated, obviously. It’s my home tournament. I’ve had some great memories here. Obviously, last year winning the title in doubles and playing the best tennis of my life, probably,” Kyrgios told reporters Monday.
“Then going into this event as one of the favorites, it’s brutal. All I can do now is just look forward, do what I need to do, and come back,” he added.
Kyrgios’ physio, Will Maher, said the Australian player “didn’t pull up great” from an exhibition match with Novak Djokovic on Friday. Maher said the charity event in Adelaide was used as “a gauge” to see if the player could compete at the highest level.
“He still tried to give himself every chance in the following days to have subsequent training. But it was clear with each passing session that he was getting sorer and sorer,” the physio added.
The Australian Open began Monday. Reigning champion Rafael Nadal defeated Great Britain’s Jack Draper 7-5 2-6 6-4 6-1 to progress to the second round.
