Kyrgios Withdraws From Djokovic Exhibition Match With Abdominal Strain, Hopes to be Fit For Australian Open

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Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of this week's exhibition match against Novak Djokovic with an abdominal strain, but the Australian tennis player is hopeful of recovering in time for the Australian Open, which is scheduled to begin on Sunday (January 12).

Kyrgios, who missed action for more than a year due to injury issues, had made his return to tennis last week at the Brisbane International, where he played alongside Djokovic in doubles and also played in the singles competition.

The 29-year-old had undergone knee surgery and wrist reconstruction during his 18-month hiatus. The Australian played two doubles matches and a singles match on his return. He exited in the first round of the singles contest after a three-set encounter against rising French star Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard.

Kyrgios had expressed that he experienced pain during the gruelling singles contest. And now seems to have suffered another setback just days before the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.

Kyrgios was scheduled to face Djokovic in a charity singles match on Thursday (January 9) at the iconic Rod Laver Arena in Melbourne Park, but the Australian has now withdrawn from the contest due to an abdominal strain.

Kyrgios took to social media to reveal that he won't be able to play "my good friend", adding that he underwent an ultrasound, which confirmed a grade 1 abdominal strain, but expressed his intention to rest and do everything possible to recover in time for the Australian Open.

"Unfortunately won't be able to play my good friend this Thursday on the 9th as I've had an ultrasound on my abdominal and have a grade 1 strain. Will be resting and doing everything I can to be OK by the Aus Open," Kyrgios wrote on Instagram.

Despite his fitness concerns, Kyrgios has been named in Australia's Davis Cup squad to face Sweden on January 31 and February 1 after being named as a shock selection by captain Lleyton Hewitt. He is in line for a return to the tournament after five years, having last appeared at the tournament in 2019 but has since suffered with injuries.