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Nick Kyrgios misses his home tournament
Photo: SAEED KHAN / AFP
The Australian Open lost one of its attractions on the day it started.
Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios canceled his participation in the home tournament on Monday due to knee problems.
"It's just brutal," said the Australian tennis pro: "It's the most important tournament, but that's life.
Injuries are part of sport.«
According to his physiotherapist, who was also on the podium at the press conference on Monday afternoon (local time), the meniscus injury is not something very serious.
But you don't want to risk a worse injury and are therefore withdrawing.
No. 19 seed Kyrgios should have played his first-round match against Russian Roman Safiullin on Tuesday.
The highly talented, but also often moody Australian was considered one of the great advertising media for the first Grand Slam tournament of the year.
In the new tennis documentary "Break Point" on Netflix, the 27-year-old is the main protagonist of the opening episode.
Kyrgios has been one of the most controversial professionals in world tennis for years, and he repeatedly causes a stir with scandals.
At Wimbledon in 2022, he took on the referees, asking referee Damien Dumusois "Are you stupid?" and calling him a "disgrace".
Earlier in the tournament he had verbally abused the linesman and spat in the direction of a spectator.
Recently, he has often appeared to be refined and also presented himself in good shape on the pitch, he was considered one of the favorites for the title in his home country.
In Wimbledon he reached the final in 2022, but lost there to Novak Djokovic.
Kyrgios admitted in the run-up to the Australian Open that the high expectations in his own country caused him stress.
"I have no doubt that I will find my way back to my old strength," said Kyrgios, who seemed visibly upset at the press conference.
The American Denis Kudla, who moved up into the main draw as a lucky loser in the qualification, will benefit from his resignation.
kjo/dpa/sid
