Nick Kyrgios was the most recent well-known athlete to withdraw from the 2024 Australian Open, citing a knee ailment. Since the home hope had earlier withdrawn from his lead-up event in Adelaide, there was a lot of uncertainty around his participation in the Melbourne Major.
Thoughts of seeing the Australian in action at Melbourne Park were revived after his exhibition encounter with Novak Djokovic at the Rod Laver Arena in Australia. But those hopes were dashed just one day before the tournament’s opening round. When the 27-year-old announced his withdrawal at an on-site press conference. The decision was made for several reasons. This included a torn lateral meniscus and a cyst that was forming there, according to Nick Kyrgios’ therapist.
The erratic Australian’s operation is scheduled, and he will be out of commission for several months, missing at least the Indian Wells Open in March. The World No. 21 now joins the list of athletes who have already missed the opening Grand Slam of the year due to injury, including Naomi Osaka (pregnancy), Venus Williams, Marin Cilic, Carlos Alcaraz, and others. Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz, Iga Swiatek excel in the new tennis era as Roger Federer, Serena Williams retire
Nick Kyrgios foregoes defense of Australian Open doubles title with Thanasi Kokkinakis
In the 2022 Australian Open singles second round, Nick Kyrgios lost in four sets to eventual champion Daniil Medvedev. In contrast, the Australian had made history at Melbourne Park. He teamed up with fellow countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis in doubles and winning every match.
The pair defeated another all-Australian combination, Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell. In the championship match to become they became the first all-Aussie pair to win the men’s doubles title at their home Grand Slam in the twenty-first century. Due to his injuries, that title defence will not take place either. Thus, guaranteeing that a new champion will reign in the division this time. Nick Kyrgios, who is now ranked No. 13. He will now see a significant drop in the ATP doubles rankings at the conclusion of the competition. All due to the loss of points from the Australian Open.
But even before his partner withdrew due to injury, Kokkinakis expressed doubt about his and Kyrgios’ ability to defend their championship in 2024, saying they would have “certainly” lost to a competent doubles combination there.
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