Australian Open chief drops Nick Kyrgios hint as Aussie at risk of missing event
Australian Open boss Craig Tiley has admitted it’s still unclear whether Nick Kyrgios will be fit enough to make his return to the court in time for the first major of 2024. Kyrgios endured a difficult 2023 season which saw the Aussie complete just one ATP Tour match at the Stuttgart Open in June, losing to China’s Wu Yibing.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist also missed last year’s Australian Open when he had a knee operation in January and was looking to make his comeback in the summer, but a wrist issue forced him to miss the remainder of the year. He was present at the ATP Finals this month as part of the commentary team and admitted the “stars have to align” in order for him to make a successful comeback from injury.
The Australian Open is Kyrgios’ top target, but he faces a race against time to prove his fitness. Tiley has been in constant conversation with the 28-year-old to see where the Aussie is on his road to recovery.
But the Tennis Australia chief admits he won’t know for sure until the final few weeks before the tournament gets underway in January.
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“We have spoken to Nick and he obviously wants to do the best he possibly can to give himself the best chance to play in January … Nick’s position will be determined closer to the event,” Tiley said. “Whether he’s playing, whether he’s doing something else, Nick will be here in January and to get him to play will be great.
“But we’ve got to take it as it comes and he’s got to take care of his health because he’s not just got January, he’s got the entire year.” It’s clear that Kyrgios is still pushing to get back out there and compete at the highest level and he admitted that Alexander Zverev’s comeback is inspiring him to do the same.
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“After last year, I had such a great year and I’m so hungry to get back out there,” Kyrgios said on commentary at the ATP Finals. So I’m doing everything I can to get back out there. Obviously, you know how injuries are every day, just doing the rehab, doing the gym work.
“But to be here and being able to watch the match we’re about to watch (between Zverev and Daniil Medvedev) makes me more hungry to get out there.” Zverev suffered a serious knee injury at the 2022 French Open during his semi-final clash with Rafael Nadal.
He left the court in a wheelchair and was unable to return for the rest of the season before making his comeback at this year’s Australian Open. Zverev dropped in rankings to 27 in the world at one point but fought back, winning two titles to move back inside the top 10.
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