Following an unpleasant first singles encounter after 18 months of hiatus, Nick Kyrgios expressed uncertainty about his preparedness for the upcoming Australian Open.
In his first tour-level singles match since his wrist surgery last September 2023, the athlete lost to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard 7-6(2) 6-7(4) 7-6(3) at the Brisbane International. He is set to participate in the first Grand Slam of the year with a protected ranking of 21st, and he has not played a major tournament since 2022 because of his knee, foot, and wrist injuries.
Kyrgios said: “After today I’m super excited for the Australian Open. If I’m able to play, I’m able to play. But the reality kind of set in for me… That’s a best-of-three match with my wrist. If I’m able to (play) not only is a Grand Slam mentally really draining, it’s physically a grind.”
He added: “I think I almost need a miracle and I need, like, the stars to align for my wrist to hold up in a Grand Slam for sure.”
Kyrgios: ‘I feel like I had been hit by a bus’
In a doubles match, Kyrgios teamed up with Novak Djokovic and defeated Alexander Erler and Andreas Mies 6-4 6-7(4) (10-8).
However, he felt discomfort after the match and admitted: “I felt like I had been hit by a bus yesterday after doubles, to be honest. I was on the treatment table for an hour and a half before bed.”
Kyrgios and his best friend Thanasi Kokkinakis will play together at the Australian Open. Both athletes won their sole major doubles championship at Melbourne Park, defeating fellow countrymen Max Purcell and Matt Ebden in the final.
The Australian Open will start on January 12 in Melbourne.
Source: CNA