Nick Kyrgios pulls out of Australian Open 2024 due to injury

Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the Australian Open for the second year in a row owing to recurring ailments that have kept him out of play for the majority of the 2023 season, the Australian revealed on Saturday. Kyrgios pulled out of the Melbourne major this year and had surgery on his left knee.

He was defeated in his comeback match following a five-month layoff, falling to China’s Wu Yibing in the Stuttgart Open first round in June. The 28-year-old then missed the French Open owing to a foot injury sustained during his car’s theft, and he withdrew from Wimbledon due to a wrist ligament condition that also kept him out of the US Open.

“This is a very disappointing time for me, but I won’t be able to compete at the 2024 Australian Open,” Kyrgios said on the online platform OnlyFans, which he joined on Friday.

“Obviously, heartbreaking. I’ve had so many amazing memories there, and I just want to really get back to playing at the top of my game and doing it right, and I need a little more time. I was so close to winning a Grand Slam. I want to make sure that my body is going to have the time it needs to come back, so please bear with me.”

Kyrgios’ injury problems began following a spectacular 2022 season in which he reached the Wimbledon final, won the Washington championship, and reached the Flushing Meadows quarterfinals. He was notably absent from the main draw of the Australian Open, which was revealed on Thursday, a setback to organisers, but is anticipated to be present for TV commentary.

The Australian Open 2024 runs from January 14-28 at Melbourne Park.