BREAKING NEWS: Nick Kyrgios ‘won’t play’ at French Open after Aussie star gets reality check in race to return from knee injury
Nick Kyrgios will reportedly not play in this year’s French Open The 28-year-old has been struggling this year with a knee injuryHis team hopes he will be available to compete at Wimbledon in the summer
Nick Kyrgios’ prospects of playing at the French Open look bleak after his coach said fans are unlikely to see the Australian star at Roland Garros.
Kyrgios, 28, has been sidelined for 2023 with a knee injury, which required surgery after pulling out of the Australian Open in January.
The Canberra-born star had hoped to be fit in time for the clay Grand Slam, revealing he wanted to bring his girlfriend, Costeen Hatzi, to Paris.
However, The Age reports that he will not play in France this year after his manager, Daniel Horsfall, admitted that they are unlikely to compete on clay.
“It doesn’t seem likely,” Horsfall said.
Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the French Open due to his knee injury
The 28-year-old was hoping to bring his girlfriend, Costeen Hatzi, to Paris for the tournament.
“We are doing everything we can to get Nick ready on the court as soon as possible.”
Kyrgios last played an official tournament in October and his long absence has denied fans the chance to see one of the sport’s most visible stars compete at the highest level.
His team still have hopes of competing at Wimbledon this year, after the 28-year-old enjoyed a magical run to the Grand Slam final at SW19 in 2022.
On the other hand, Thanasi Kokkinakis has received a wildcard entry to the Roland Garros tournament.
The 27-year-old joins Kim Birrell as Tennis Australia’s men’s and women’s wild card winners for the major in France.
Kokkinakis reached the last 32 on his tournament debut in 2015, and hopes another strong performance will see him break into the top 100 men’s players in the world.
However, his coach confirmed that fans are unlikely to see Kyrgios at Roland Garros
“It’s great to be back on clay. I feel like I’m playing well at the moment and I have good memories playing for the French,” Kokkinakis said.
“I’m really grateful to get the wild card and I can’t wait to compete again in Paris. I’ve had a few solid wins on clay lately so I’m hoping I can build on that momentum and get some good results.”
Kokkinakis will join Alex de Minaur, Jason Kubler, Alexei Popyrin, Chris O’Connell, Jordan Thompson and Max Purcell in the men’s singles tournament.
