NICK KYRIGOS has uploaded a gruesome photo of the knee injury that forced him to pull out of the Australian Open.
The world No.21, who hoping to build on a positive 2022 season, withdrew from his home slam on the opening day of the tournament.
Nick Kyrgios was forced to withdraw from on the opening day of the Aussie Open
The fluid drained from Kyrgios’ knee a few days ago
Kyrgios called a press conference at 4pm local time in Melbourne before telling reporters that he wasn’t fit enough to compete.
He said: “Obviously extremely disappointed. Honestly, I’m just exhausted from everything and it’s pretty brutal.
“One of the most important tournaments of my career. It hasn’t been easy at all.
“This coming around is just bad timing. But that’s life. Injury is a part of the sport.
“I’m devastated obviously. It’s my home tournament. I’ve had some great memories here.
“All I can do now is just look forward, do what I need to do and come back.
“When I finish a session or finish a match, it’s just constant throbbing.
“Barely had a good night’s sleep the last four, five nights. It’s just been throbbing.
“You can see on the side of my knee there’s a little lump. That lump will eventually just get bigger and bigger. There’s pressure on my knee, it obviously hinders my movement.
“The only real way to get rid of it is to open up and then just get rid of it.”
And the 27-year-old has revealed the extent of the damage by posting a photo on his Instagram story.
The image showed the fluid drained from his knee a few days ago.
The caption read: “A little insight into what was in my knee four days prior. Drainage produce.”
Kyrgios came into the tournament in good form at the majors having reached the Wimbledon final and the quarter-finals of the US Open last year.
But his wait for a first singles Grand Slam title goes on and he’ll also miss the chance to defend the doubles title he won with good friend Thanasi Kokkinakis in 2022.
His first round opponent Roman Safiullin will now face lucky loser Denis Kudla.
