Kyrgios’ Return to Grand Slam Tennis Is in Doubt Ahead of the Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)
Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)
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Kyrgios’ Return to Grand Slam Tennis Is in Doubt Ahead of the Australian Open

Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)
Nick Kyrgios of Australia and Novak Djokovic of Serbia (not pictured) hit a return against Michael Venus of New Zealand and Nikola Mektic of Croatia during their men's doubles match at the Brisbane International tennis tournament in Brisbane on January 1, 2025. (AFP)

Nick Kyrgios’ planned return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open is in doubt after he sustained an abdominal injury and was forced to withdraw from an exhibition with Novak Djokovic this week.

The 2022 Wimbledon finalist, sidelined with wrist and knee injuries since the 2022 US Open, said in an Instagram post Wednesday that an ultrasound scan had revealed an abdominal strain and "unfortunately (I) won’t be able to play my good friend (Djokovic) this Thursday."

He said he’d be resting and doing everything possible to be ready for the Australian Open, which starts Sunday at Melbourne Park.

The mercurial Australian, who has become a popular commentator during his lengthy stints on the injured list, made his competitive comeback last week at Brisbane, where he played one singles match and partnered with Djokovic in two doubles matches.

Djokovic and Kyrgios won their opening doubles match, a crowd-pleasing, fist-pumping affair by both players at Pat Rafter Arena before a 6-2, 3-6, 10-8 loss to Nikola Mektic of Croatia and New Zealander Michael Venus.

Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley remained confident Kyrgios would play at the year's first major.

"I think it’s just precautionary, that’s the word we’ve got from him," Tiley said Wednesday, responding to questions about the potential absence of the star Australian. "Nick’s not the only one not doing some of their pre-planned matches over the next few days. There’s no concerns ahead of the Open."



Draper Beats Rune at Indian Wells for a First Masters 1000 Title and a Top-10 Debut

Jack Draper of Great Britain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark following the men's singles final match of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 16 March 2025. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO
Jack Draper of Great Britain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark following the men's singles final match of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 16 March 2025. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO
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Draper Beats Rune at Indian Wells for a First Masters 1000 Title and a Top-10 Debut

Jack Draper of Great Britain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark following the men's singles final match of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 16 March 2025. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO
Jack Draper of Great Britain poses with the championship trophy after defeating Holger Rune of Denmark following the men's singles final match of the BNP Paribas Open tennis tournament in Indian Wells, California, USA, 16 March 2025. EPA/JOHN G. MABANGLO

Jack Draper overwhelmed Holger Rune 6-2, 6-2 in a little more than an hour in the final of the BNP Paribas Open on Sunday, achieving two big milestones by claiming his first Masters 1000 title and earning his debut in the top 10 of the ATP rankings.
Draper, a 23-year-old from Britain who was seeded 13th at the hard-court tournament in the California desert, built up a 21-7 advantage in winners against Rune while also making fewer unforced errors, The Associated Press reported.
Draper's left-handed serve was particularly important: He hit 10 aces, won 21 of his 23 first-serve points and never allowed Rune to earn a single break point.
“You never know when it's your time,” said Draper, a US Open semifinalist in September. “I lost first round here last year, so I didn't get to experience the tournament too much. ... But I'd say this is one of my favorite tournaments now, of course.”
He will rise from No. 14 to a career-high No. 7 in the rankings on Monday.
“I feel,” Draper said, “like I deserve it.”
Earlier Sunday, 17-year-old Mirra Andreeva of Russia collected her second consecutive Masters 1000 title by getting past No. 1-ranked Aryna Sabalenka 2-6, 6-4, 6-3.
Rune is a 21-year-old from Denmark who was seeded 12th at Indian Wells.
Their matchup was the first ATP Masters 1000 final anywhere between two men born in the 2000s and the first at Indian Wells between two aged 23 or younger since Rafael Nadal, 22, beat Andy Murray, 21, in 2009.
“Tough day for me, but I have to start with congratulating Jack,” Rune said. “You've been showing some incredible tennis and, for sure, you deserved to win today.”
Draper got to the final by eliminating two-time defending champion Carlos Alcaraz in the semifinals on Friday.
“I wasn’t expecting this. I put in a lot of work over time," Draper said. "I’m just so grateful and so happy to ... be able to play, my body feeling healthy and to feel great in the mind.”