And wham, the house of cards is collapsing.
Nick Kyrgios, self-proclaimed favorite for the 2023 Australian Open, finally announced his injury withdrawal on Monday.
Hit in the knee, the Australian was to start his tournament on Tuesday against Safiulin.
Kyrgios is due to undergo an arthroscopy in his hometown of Canberra in the coming days and return to competition in March in Indian Wells, according to his physiotherapist.
"It's one of the most important tournaments of my career, it was not easy at all" to make this decision to withdraw, underlined the 27-year-old player who has never exceeded the quarters of final in Melbourne.
Affected Kyrgios
“I am destroyed (psychologically), it is my national tournament, I have excellent memories there and in particular the doubles title last year (with Thanasi Kokkinakis, editor’s note) and to arrive there this year by being one favorites it was crazy but all I have to do is do what I have to and come back, ”commented Kyrgios.
“I have no doubt that I will return to my best level and that I will replay the tennis that I played until then”, he however hammered.
Not a compromising injury for the future
His physiotherapist Will Maher clarified that Kyrgios had “knee problems for about a week”.
"It's not a serious injury that puts his career in jeopardy," said Maher.
“Nick wants to play being sure to hold the seven matches necessary to go until the title, that is to say potentially seven times three hours.
Just entering the court is not enough for him,” he added.
Do not enter it at all either.
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Australian Open 2023
Nick Kyrgios
Tennis