Nick Kyrgios’ injury not in the nick of time at the 2023 Australian Open
Knee injury forces Nick Kyrgios out of the 2023 Australian Open on the day the tournament begins.
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Nick Kyrgios
Nick Kyrgios loves controversies, on and off the court. On Monday, before the first serve at the 2023 Australian Open was rifled in, the enfant terrible of world tennis dropped a bombshell. No, not with his game and antics, but by pulling out of the AO. Aw shucks, he did the same thing at the United Cup earlier this year.
And much to the chagrin of fans on Monday, under a blue sky which then turned grey and forced the shutters to be rolled over, Nick said he was pulling out. Fans disbelieved the news, and rubbed their eyes, as the Aussie mate said he was not fully fit. He talked of undergoing an MRI (scan) which said there was a knee injury. At the press conference, just to reinforce the belief he was not pulling a fast one, Nick Kyrgios was accompanied by his physio.
There was emotion and there was a commotion as pulling out at the 11th hour was like dropping a bomb which left a crater-like gap in the draw. As it were, the season’s first Grand Slam has been bombarded by withdrawals. Those who have seen Nick in good form in 2022, where he lost the final at Wimbledon to Novak Djokovic, felt he was prepping up for the big fortnight.
The build-up to AO seemed great from his side, in terms of quotes given and what the golden oldies were saying, praise which was lavish for Nick. He is a man who has admirers and critics, in equal numbers. People love him for his antics, his histrionics as well as shouting at a fan last year in Wimbledon.
Related: Novak Djokovic shuts down withdrawal rumors but concerns remain
Nick Kyrgios suffers two disappointments in one day
When he lost last July to Novak, the general feeling was Nick had turned the corner. In the run-up to the Australian Open, he talked of wanting this year to be big for himself, and win Majors. Damn came to the news he was out with a knee injury. Everyone knows knee injuries are painful and it takes a long time to heal. How serious this is can be estimated by the fact he pulled out for two big events.
Obviously, the knee flare-up did not happen overnight. There was something Nick Kyrgios was hiding, all along. Why he did it is not clear. Deep down, he may have hoped to be fit before the AO with conservative treatment like rest and rehab. These days, it is impossible to get going when you are not fit. Tennis on hard courts is strenuous and the slightest pain and jarring can be dangerous.
Being the home favorite, Nick Krgios has left many red-faced including tournament director Craig Tiley. After all, Nick would have ensured a box-office hit with tennis plus tantrums, a bit like good old John McEnroe, named Mac-In-A-Row in the past. Strangely, on Monday, news break of Nick Kyrgios pulling out and also being hauled up for driving an e-scooter in Melbourne minus a helmet with his babe Costeen Hatzi grabbed headlines.
Price for stardom? Or media intrusion. Play or not play, Nick Kyrgios makes news, though his fans would love to see him win Majors. Tennis needs character and tennis needs people who are not dull and boring. For fans at AO, not seeing this man in singles and doubles is a double whammy. It just goes to show how hard tennis is these days, as the season gets longer.
Questions linger, did Nick know he was doubtful for the AO? Did Nick conceal info on his fitness? Did the maverick think he would be fit like a miracle were to happen. Questions and answers, terse and tight are there on social media. A different trial of sorts has begun for Nick Kyrgios, once again.
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