Nick Kyrgios’ Australian Open chances dimmed by injury

Nick Kyrgios faces a race against the clock to be healthy for the Australian Open, with the Australian revealing he is dealing with an injury ahead of the year’s first Grand Slam beginning on Sunday.

Kyrgios made his return to professional tennis last week at the Brisbane International, losing first round in the singles and second round in the doubles.

Prior to his return in Brisbane, the 29-year-old had spent the majority of the last two years on the sidelines, playing just three matches since the 2022 US Open.

Now, he has withdrawn from a planned exhibition doubles match alongside Novak Djokovic in the lead-up to the Australian Open, citing an abdominal strain as the reason for his cancellation.

“Unfortunately, [I] 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,” Kyrgios said on Wednesday.

“Will be resting and doing everything I can to be okay for the Australian Open.”

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley is confident that Kyrgios’ withdrawal from his exhibition match will not impact the Aussie’s participation in this year’s event, however.

“I think it’s just precautionary, that’s the word we’ve got from him,” Tiley said.

“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.”

News of Kyrgios’ injury, as well as his early exit last week, has led tennis bookmakers to lengthen the former No.13’s odds to win the tournament.

Neds now pays $81 for Kyrgios to win the Australian Open, with leading bookmakers listing odds as short as $31 just 10 days ago.

Jannik Sinner ($2.37) leads tennis betting odds to claim the year’s first major trophy, while Carlos Alcaraz ($4.50) and Novak Djokovic ($4.50) are widely considered title chances as well.

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