Nick Kyrgios injury a 'total bummer' that took 'air out of the building' at Australian Open - John McEnroe
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Updated 16/01/2023 at 20:19 GMT
Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the Australian Open just 24 hours before he was scheduled to play his first-round match due to a knee injury. The loss of Kyrgios is a major blow to Australia's hopes of a first men's singles champion since 1976. John McEnroe has given his view on Kyrgios' withdrawal, what it means for him and how it will impact the Grand Slam in Melbourne.
'A total bummer' - McEnroe gives view on Kyrgios' withdrawal
John McEnroe says Nick Kyrgios’ withdrawal from the Australian Open was a “total bummer” that “took the air out of the building”.
He said he was “devastated” to not be able to play and
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Kyrgios is not only one of tennis' great entertainers but appeared to be a potential contender for the title after an impressive 2022 season that included reaching the Wimbledon final.
“Total and absolute bummer,” former world No. 1 McEnroe told Eurosport.
“Nick's been making progress that I wasn't sure he even thought [he could make] or I did… to get himself to compete consistently at a high level and give the type of effort you need to go after and possibly win a Grand Slam.
“I think we saw that because he was able to give this more consistent effort last year, when he was right in the mix.
“He got to the final of Wimbledon, he had a real shot to go all the way at the US Open, lost in the quarters, but looked great most of the tournament, and I'm sure that he was super pumped up because he's playing in his home country.”
Kyrgios has seemingly been battling the injury over the last month.
He did not play any competitive matches in the lead-up to the Australian Open after withdrawing from the United Cup and then the Adelaide International.
He did practice with Novak Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena on Friday, but "didn't pull up great" according to his physio Will Maher.
Kyrgios will also not be able to defend his Australian Open doubles title, which he won last year with Thanasi Kokkinakis.
“He had come off winning the Aussie doubles last year, so the crowd obviously love seeing him play,” added McEnroe.
“Everywhere that you turned, anywhere in the world, and you heard that news it was like, ‘Oh not again’, like something else happened.
"He's had issues, because I've been around him, some with the body and then the knee in particular, so all we can hope is that he'll go after this and try to make sure that he's in the type of condition he needs to be, do the rehab work, and hope that he takes something positive out of something that's obviously totally negative.
“But it definitely took the air out of the building for sure.”
Kyrgios was the 19th seed at the Grand Slam and was due to play Roman Safiullin on Tuesday.
"I'm devastated obviously. It's like my home tournament. I've had some great memories here," he said.
"Obviously last year winning the title in doubles and playing the best tennis of my life probably. Then going into this event as one of the favourites, it's brutal."
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