Nick Kyrgios’ return to the Australian Open is in doubt after he pulled out of an exhibition match with an abdominal injury.
The Wimbledon 2022 finalist returned to the tournament last week in Brisbane, having played just one singles match since October 2022.
Announcing his retirement on Instagram, the 29-year-old said an ultrasound had revealed a first-degree strain.
He said he would “rest and do everything I can to be good at the Aus Open” which starts on Sunday.
He lost his opening singles match in Brisbane to France’s Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in a three-set tie-break, after which he said he “felt like I had been hit by a bus”, and reached the second round of the doubles, with partner Novak Djokovic. .
“I think I almost need a miracle and I need the stars to align for my wrist to stay in a Grand Slam, for sure,” he said after his singles loss.
“For my ankle, it’s all new now. It’s very sore…we expected this. Today is another building block in the journey.”
Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley expected Kyrgios to play in Melbourne and he thought the withdrawal was “preliminary”.