Kyrgios faces race to be fit for Australian Open after pulling out of Djokovic exhibition

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios faces a race against time to be fit for the Australian Open, which kicks off on Sunday in Melbourne, after pulling out of an exhibition match against Novak Djokovic on Wednesday.

Kyrgios was scheduled to play an exhibition against the 24-time Grand Slam champion, with whom he played doubles in Brisbane last week, on Thursday but an abdominal strain has blocked those plans.

The Australian, who had played only one official match in the past two seasons due to wrist and knee injuries, posted in update on social media in which he said, “Unfortunately won’t be able to play my good friend Novak Djokovic this Thursday on the 9th as I’ve had an ultrasound on my abdominal and have a grade 1 strain. Will be resting and doing everything I can to be okay for the Australian Open”.

There’s no concerns ahead of the Open – Craig Tiley on Nick Kyrgios

Kyrgios returned to the tour last week in Brisbane and went down to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the opening round in a third set tiebreaker. He also played doubles with Djokovic and the pair won a match before going down in the second round.

Australian Open Tournament Director Craig Tiley said he has been in touch with the Kyrgios camp and termed his withdrawal from the exhibition as ‘precautionary’.

“I think it’s just precautionary, that’s the word we’ve got from him,” Tiley said Wednesday, responding to questions about the potential absence of the star Australian. “Nick’s not the only one not doing some of their pre-planned matches over the next few days. There’s no concerns ahead of the Open.”

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