Source : ABC NEWS
Nick Kyrgios has given the strongest indication he will be fit to play in the Australian Open, declaring his abdominal injury “manageable” two days out from the first grand slam of the year.
Kyrgios, who has been drawn to meet British world number 86 Jacob Fearnley in the first round, got through a light practice session at Melbourne Park on Friday morning and was scheduled for another in the afternoon.
Notably, the 29-year-old firebrand tested his latest injury concern when he served half a dozen times to a practice partner on Friday.
Kyrgios had previously avoided serving for fear of aggravating the injury, which led to his withdrawal from an exhibition event with Novak Djokovic on Thursday night.
“I think it’s just part of the game, niggles. I don’t think anyone really feels 100 per cent,” Kyrgios said.
“As long as it’s not something like my wrist again, I think I can manage it.”
Kyrgios is seeking to contest his first grand slam since the 2022 US Open because of serious wrist and knee injuries that kept him sidelined for most of the last two years.
He sidestepped controversy when asked to comment on rival Jannik Sinner’s doping ban and Novak Djokovic’s poisoning claims at Friday’s pre-tournament media conference, but displayed plenty of his trademark confidence.
“I’ve beaten pretty much everyone that the sport’s put in front of me before, so I’m always going to back my ability,” Kyrgios said.
“People are always going to say ‘be realistic’ or ‘you’re not going to be the same’ but I unfortunately don’t have that mindset.
“I always have utmost confidence in my ability that if I’m playing my style of tennis and my unpredictability that I’ve got a chance against anyone.
“I think that’s the mindset that you need to have.”
AAP
