Kyrgios ready to compete after injury scare pre-Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios is confident he will be fit in time for his first-round match at the Australian Open on Monday, after the Australian suffered an abdominal strain earlier in the week.

“This morning, [I] was out there feeling pretty good,” he said on Friday.

“Obviously my body was struggling a little bit.

“Had a little bit more of a setback (with the abdominal strain).

“I think it’s just part of the game. Niggles. I don’t think anyone really feels 100%.

“Look, as long as it’s not something like my wrist again, I think I can manage it.”

The 29-year-old returned to the ATP Tour for the first time in more than 18 months last week, playing one singles match and two doubles in Brisbane.

“I mean, obviously had a really good return, I think a successful return to Brisbane. Had a lot of fun.

“Obviously carrying the greatest of all time in doubles wasn’t on my resume. Now it is.

“Had a really successful singles match against one of the most confident players on the Tour.

“I’m just taking it day by day.

“Just enjoying all the moments again, being a part of the tournament, going through the hallways, locker room, seeing everyone again.

“It’s been an emotional time for me the last couple weeks.

“I’m just enjoying being back.”

Kyrgios was widely viewed as a dark horse to win the Australian Open across tennis betting sites at the start of the year, paying as little as $26 at Neds.

However, his losses in Brisbane, the recent injury scare, plus a draw that has him on track to meet world No.2 Alexander Zverev in the third round, have led to his outright odds ballooning.

PlayUp now pays in excess of $100 for the Aussie to claim his maiden Grand Slam, with Bet365 sitting at $126.

However, the mercurial character believes that his presence at the year’s first major is a good thing for the sport still.

“I think it’s healthy that I’m back and I’m playing,” he said.

“I mean, we watch sport because we want personalities.

“For me being personally back, I think it adds a bit of question marks to like what is going to happen today. I love that.

“Every time I step out on court, I don’t know if I’m going to be super controversial in a good or bad way.

“Throughout my career, it hasn’t always been good, but it’s added a lot of excitement to the game.

“I think it’s important.

“There are so many good players on the Tour now.

“I think there’s not so many contrasting personalities.

“It’s good to be back.

“I think the sport was getting a bit mundane.”

Kyrgios’ first-round match will take place on Monday against Britain’s Jacob Fearnley, with the home player a $1.72 betting app to make the second round.

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