“I just want to really get back to playing at the top of my game and doing it right”

NICK KYRGIOS fans were left disappointed when it was confirmed that the tennis star would NOT be playing in front of his home crowd at the Australian Open 2024.

The Grand Slam tennis tournament began on January 14, 2024, at Melbourne Park in Victoria, Australia.

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Australian tennis player Nick Kyrgios is not playing at the 2024 Australian OpenCredit: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Why isn’t Nick Kyrgios playing at the Australian Open?

Nick Kyrgios is not playing at the 2024 Australian Open due to an ongoing wrist injury.

The sportsman, who was also forced to pull out of the 2023 Australian tournament 12 months prior, has been dealing with a torn ligament in his right wrist since June 2023.

Kyrgios confirmed in December 2023 that he would not be playing at the Australian Open in January 2024 – he is instead commentating at the tournament for Eurosport and recently let rip at rival Novak Djokovic.

He announced the news on his OnlyFans account, explaining that his lingering wrist troubles, coupled with his knee injury from earlier in the year, would prevent him from competing.

He said on the subscription site: “Hey guys, Nick Kyrgios here, obviously had a really tough year with injury, had that knee surgery and came back a little too soon (which) set me back a little bit, obviously had some wrist issues.

“So this is a very disappointing time for me but yeah I won’t be able to compete at the 2024 Australian Open.”

The star continued: “Obviously heartbreaking, I’ve had so many amazing memories there and I just want to really get back to playing at the top of my game and doing it right and I need a little more time.

“I was so close to winning a Grand Slam, I want to make sure that my body is going to have the time it needs to come back so please bear with me.”

When did Nick Kyrgios last play?

Kyrgios last played tennis in June 2023.

The star lost to Yibing Wu in Stuttgart, Germany, in his only match of the year.

Kyrgios had been due to play at the 2023 Australian Open but pulled out on the eve of the tournament.

He then underwent arthroscopic surgery on his left knee before briefly returning to play Wu in June, but then tore the ligament in his wrist.

Kyrgios had been expected to play at Wimbledon 2023 but his wrist injury forced him to pull out.

In a statement, again made on the eve of the start of the competition, Kyrgios said: “I’m really sad to say that I have to withdraw from Wimbledon this year.

“During my comeback, I experienced some pain in my wrist during Mallorca.

“As a precaution I had it scanned and it came back showing a torn ligament in my wrist.

“I tried everything to be able to play and I am disappointed to say that I just didn’t have enough time to manage it before Wimbledon.

“I’ll be back and as always, I appreciate the support from all my fans.”

When is Nick Kyrgios expected to return?

It is not yet known when Kyrgios will be well enough to return to the court.

Despite saying he is looking forward to playing again, the athlete has also hinted that he may be ready to retire from tennis.

Speaking the On Purpose podcast in 2023, Kyrgios talked about thoughts of retirement and said: “If it was up to me.

“I don’t really want to play any more, to be honest. But I have to, almost. I have so much more to give.

“I’m exhausted, I’m tired. I’ve had three surgeries now. I’m only 28 years old.

“I always wanted to be able to have a family and not be in pain. When I get up, I can’t walk without pain.

“Even if I won [Wimbledon], people would be like, ‘Now do it again’. That’s the rat-race of life.

“How much is enough? I’m very content with my life, I have more than enough to enjoy.”