02 July 2023 , 21:28
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Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from this year's Wimbledon through injury.
The 28-year-old Australian, who was beaten by Novak Djokovic in last year's final, has picked up a wrist issue. He confirmed the disappointing news with a statement on Instagram on Sunday evening, just hours before the Grand Slam tournament starts.
Kyrgios was scheduled to play Belgian star David Goffin, who is a former quarter-finalist at SW19, on Court One on Monday. It's the third Grand Slam he's missed this year after withdrawing from the Australian Open and the French Open due to injury.
Kyrgios, who is yet to win his maiden Grand Slam title, wrote: "Hey everyone. I'm really sad to say that I have to withdraw from Wimbledon this year. I have tried my hardest to be ready after surgery and to be able to step on the Wimbledon courts again.
"During my comeback, I experienced some pain in my wrist during the week of Mallorca. As a precaution I had it scanned and it came back showing a torn ligament in my wrist.
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"I tried everything to be able to play and I am disappointed to say that I just didn't have enough time to manage it before Wimbledon. I'll be back, and as always, I appreciate the support from all my fans."
Kyrgios lost last year's Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic ((Photo by Julian Finney/Getty Images))Will anyone beat Novak Djokovic at this year's Wimbledon? Let us know in the comments below!
Kyrgios is looking to build on his appearance in last year's Wimbledon final, which he lost 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to Djokovic. The Aussie reached the quarter-finals of the US Open - losing to Russian Karen Khachanov - but has not competed in a Grand Slam since then.
Kyrgios underwent knee surgery in January and has only played one competitive match since. He seemed apprehensive when talking about his fitness to the press earlier on Sunday. He said: "I still think there’s some question marks [over my fitness], for sure.
"Obviously five-set tennis is a completely different base altogether. I look at my preparations last year coming in, I probably had the most ideal preparation possible. It couldn’t be any different this year.
"I’m not going to discredit the work I’ve put in for the last six months just trying to maintain my fitness, get back on court. I’ve been hitting with some really good players this week and my body is feeling OK. I’m going to take it one day at a time.
"I’m not going to look forward and put unfair expectations on myself. I’m just going to try to do everything I can, prepare, go out there and play some good tennis. I feel probably as good as I could feel at the moment."
Monday's order of play on Centre Court sees Djokovic take on Argentine Pedro Cachin before five-time champion Venus Williams faces 2019 semi-finalist Elina Svitolina.