Australian Nick Kyrgios withdrew from an exhibition tennis match against Serbian Novak Djokovic on Wednesday due to an abdominal injury, raising doubts about his possibility of competing in the Australian Open, the first Grand Slam tennis tournament that begins this weekend.
The controversial player returned to action last week in the Brisbane tournament after an 18-month absence, after recovering from surgery on his knee and another to correct wrist instability.
He was eliminated from the first round after three difficult sets against rising Frenchman Giovanni Capecchi-Pericard, and he admitted after the match that he suffered from pain.
Kyrgios played two doubles matches alongside Djokovic, and was expected to face him in a charity match on Thursday at Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne.
The Australian Championship competitions open on Sunday.
Kyrgios wrote on Instagram: “Unfortunately, I will not be able to play with my dear friend this Thursday, as I underwent an ultrasound examination that revealed that I had suffered a grade 1 abdominal strain.”
He continued, “I will rest and do everything in my power to be ready for the Australian Championship.”
The very popular player in Australia reached the Wimbledon Grand Final on grass in 2022, when he lost in four sets to Djokovic.
But the player, who has a difficult temperament at times, was unable during his career to compete with the big three, Djokovic, the retired Swiss Roger Federer and the Spanish Rafael Nadal.
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