Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of the Adelaide International as he races the clock to recover from an ankle injury in time for the Australian Open.
Kyrgios had set to play the second week of the tournament in Adelaide, but organisers confirmed he had withdrawn from the event due to start on January 10.
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The 27-year-old pulled out of the United Cup team event last week because of an ankle injury, a decision that ruffled the feathers of Australian co-captain Lleyton Hewitt.
The 27-year-old was a last-minute withdrawal from United Cup last week, catching his teammates by surprise and he claimed was “thrown under the bus” by Australian team co-captain Lleyton Hewitt in the aftermath.
Kyrgios’ manager Daniel Horsfall took a swipe at his critics who doubted whether last year’s Wimbledon finalist was even injured.
“We are very excited and working every day to make sure we‘re ready for the Australian Open,” Horsfall told The Age.
“A lot of people were upset after he pulled out of the United Cup, but I hope they now realise the injury is genuine. I wish more people would ask questions before putting in their two cents.”
This latest withdrawal means Kyrgios will head into the Australian Open without having played a lead-up match on home soil this summer.
He played his last competitive singles match at an ATP event in Tokyo in October, but has contested exhibition tournaments since then.
Kyrgios is said to be eager to play both singles and doubles at the Australian Open, which begins on January 16 in Melbourne.
Thanasi Kokkinakis confirmed this week he will team up with Kyrgios again to defend their Australian Open doubles title.
And Kyrgios’ camp is doing everything it can to give him the most amount of time possible to get over his ankle niggle.
Instead of playing on the first day of the Australian Open, officials could look to give Kyrgios a Tuesday start when the grand slam begins and an extra day to recover from the ankle issue which forced him out of the United Cup.
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley said he’d been in regular contact with Kyrgios team and was confident he’d be ready to start the event on January 16.
But organisers have the option of given Kyrgios a Tuesday start, depending on which side of the draw he falls, and that could be a consideration to give him every chance to be as fit as possible.
“I have spoken to his team and he’s doing everything to make sure he gives himself the best opportunity to be the fittest he can for when we start on Monday,” Tiley said.
“At 3pm on Thursday, the 13th, we will be doing the draw and we’ll be deciding on Friday which half of the draw (plays) on Monday or Tuesday.
“We’ll know who plays when and what slots.”
Kyrgios, the world No. 22 will be among the seeded players in the draw.
With NCA Newswire
