MELBOURNE – Nick Kyrgios’ hopes of ending his country’s 47-year wait for a local men’s champion at the Australian Open were dashed when he pulled out of the tournament on Monday with a knee injury.
The 27-year-old, he believes, enters the tournament as one of the favorites after reaching the Wimbledon final and the US Open quarter-finals last year.
“I was devastated. It’s like my home tournament,” Kyrgios told reporters at Melbourne Park.
“To be honest, I’m tired of everything and obviously very cruel. One of the most important tournaments in my career. It was not easy at all. »
Kyrgios missed the United Cup team competition earlier in the season and withdrew from his only warm-up tournament at the Australian Open in Adelaide.
His physiotherapist, Will Maher, said Kyrgios had been bothered by a cyst from a small meniscus tear in his left knee for several weeks and that it was the right decision to withdraw from the tournament.
“It’s not a serious injury that’s going to threaten his career or anything,” Maher added.
“The situation at this point is we want to prevent him from getting injured any further or making his injury worse. The prognosis is good, it will be fine. We just go back to work and make sure it’s okay and we’re off again. Maher said Kyrgios will have joint surgery and recover in time for the Masters in Indian Wells, California, in early March.
Kyrgios said there was a “constant knock” in the knee and a blow from doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis on Monday morning convinced him he had to retire.
The withdrawal also means Kyrgios and Kokkinakis – known as the ‘Special Ks’ – will not be able to defend the men’s doubles title they won at Melbourne Park last year.
“Obviously, it’s a bad time to come, but that’s life,” Kyrgios added. “Injuries are a part of sports. I think I’m inspired by someone like Thanasi who has been through so many injuries and bounced back.
“There is no doubt that I will be at full strength and play the tennis that I played before this event.”
Kyrgios said he believes he has a real chance to become the first Australian to win the men’s singles title since Mark Edmondson in 1976.
“We felt we had a real chance to win the event, win the Grand Slam and answer the questions,” he said.
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