Nick Kyrgios was forced to withdraw from the Australian Open on Monday — just 24 hours ahead of his scheduled first-round match against Roman Safiullin — because of an injury to his left knee that will require arthroscopic surgery.
Kyrgios, Australia’s highest-ranked men’s tennis player, called an impromptu news conference during Day 1 at Melbourne Park to announce that a routine MRI scan had revealed a small tear and a cyst in his lateral meniscus.
“I’m devastated. It’s brutal,” said Kyrgios, who was seeded 19th. “This is my home tournament, and obviously winning the tournament in doubles [last year] and playing the best tennis of my life. All I can do is my best to come back.”
Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the Australian Open with a knee injury. He will be replaced in the draw by lucky loser Denis Kudla. #AusOpen #AO2023
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 16, 2023
Breaking: Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of the Australian Open due to a knee injury, a day before he was scheduled to play his first-round match.
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— ESPN (@espn) January 16, 2023