Not again! Nick Kyrgios QUIT $15MILLION tournament with mystery injury to leave his Aussie teammates in disarray… and risks angering his countrymen with teasing Instagram post
- Aussie Nick Kyrgios pulls out of the inaugural United Cup teams event
- Kyrgios is set to play in his opening match on Thursday night
- Kyrgios mentioned the need to overcome the injury ahead of the Australian Open
Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the inaugural United Cup teams event just a day before his scheduled opening match, citing the need to overcome injury ahead of the Australian Open.
World No.22 Kyrgios was expected to lead the Australian team, facing Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie in Sydney on Thursday night, but withdrew from the mixed-gender tournament ahead of a scheduled press conference on Wednesday.
Nick Kyrgios (pictured) pulled out of the United Cup teams event just a day before his scheduled opening match, citing the need to overcome injury ahead of the Australian Open
World No.22 Kyrgios (pictured with partner Costeen Hatzi) was expected to lead the Australian team, which faces Great Britain’s Cameron Norrie in Sydney on Thursday night, but withdrew from the mixed-gender tournament
Kyrgios risked angering his fellow Aussies by posting a video on Instagram on Wednesday
He was dealing with a niggling injury after practice on Tuesday afternoon.
Kyrgios’ teammates told the media that they only learned 10 minutes before the press conference that he would not be joining them for the event.
And Kyrgios’ latest Instagram post risks angering his countrymen, sharing a video of himself in Sydney with the caption: ‘Good day’.
‘We literally only found out 10 minutes ago,’ said Australian co-captain Sam Stosur.
As a result, Alex de Minaur will move into the No.1 men’s position for Team Australia, with Jason Kubler promoted to the No.2 spot.
Stosur believes the Aussie team is in a strong position going into the tournament.
Kyrgios’ teammates told the media that they only learned 10 minutes before the press conference that he would not be joining them for the event.
‘We have amazing players on this team,’ Stosur said. ‘Alex (de Minaur) is one of the best players in the world, Koobs (Kubler) has had an incredible year this year as well as qualifying for a couple of slams so up to the men’s team goes, we’re in very good hands though, I’m not worried that our chances are just greatly diminished or anything like that.
‘We are here to do everything we can to try and win this competition. It’s not going to be easy, there are a lot of good players here but we’re ready to go and we’re going to give it everything we’ve got.’
De Minaur appeared annoyed when asked about his view on Kyrgios’ withdrawal a day before the competition began.
Kyrgios (pictured) is due to represent Australia for the first time since the now-defunct ATP Cup in 2020, having sat out the Davis Cup for the past three years, as well as the Tokyo Olympics
‘You know, I think it would be nice if we just talk about this great team, we’re all here, we’re all happy to be here, we’re about to play an exciting new event, something new for all of us, The United Cup,’ he said.
The United Cup, along with the second Adelaide International event in January, should be part of Kyrgios’ preparations for a tilt at his home slam.
Kyrgios must also represent Australia for the first time since the now-defunct ATP Cup in 2020, having sat out the Davis Cup for the past three years, as well as the Tokyo Olympics.
