NICK KYRGIOS has pulled out of the Australian Open with a painful left injury as the Curse of Netflix strikes again.
The tennis maverick unexpectedly called a press conference at 4pm local time in Melbourne on the opening day of the Australian Open.
Nick Kyrgios cannot play any part in the Australian Open due to a knee injuryAP
In front of a hastily-assembled audience of reporters, the world No.21 explained that he was simply not fit enough to play his home slam following the discovery of a parameniscal cyst growing in his left meniscus.
Physio Will Maher said Kyrgios would undergo arthroscopic knee surgery but he was hopeful the player could return to the circuit by the time Indian Wells is staged in March.
It means Kyrgios will not appear on Tuesday evening on the boisterous John Cain Arena against Russian Roman Safiullin, who now faces lucky loser Denis Kudla from the United States.
Kyrgios, who won the men’s doubles title here in 2022, 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.
Kyrgios used a charity exhibition tie against Novak Djokovic on Friday to test his troublesome knee but the result and impact proved to be negative newsThe Mega Agency
“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.”
It is a huge blow for tournament organisers, local fans and TV ratings – love him or loathe him, Kyrgios certainly gets people watching and engaged with the sport.
Kyrgios’s profile has increased immeasurably since the first five of 10 episodes of Netflix’s Break Point documentary dropped on the streaming service — he is the focus of the first show.
Yet he is now the FOURTH player involved in the filming to pull out of the Oz Open with a physical issue, following the disappointments experienced by Carlos Alcaraz (abdominal tear), Paula Badosa (thigh) and Ajla Tomljanovic (knee).
The 27-year-old has been managing a knee complaint since reaching the 2022 Wimbledon final where he lost to Novak Djokovic on Centre Court.
He has played just twice since losing at the US Open quarter-finals in New York and abruptly pulled out of this month’s United Cup in Sydney, much to the annoyance of his Aussie teammates, due to an ankle injury.
The Australian could be fined for flouting e-scooter rules as he went for a ride in Melbourne with his girlfriendEPA
There had been smiles and jokes when he took on Djokovic in a charity fundraiser on the Rod Laver Arena on Friday evening but that particular exercise proved to him and his team he was not ready for singles combat.
Kyrgios may also be hit in the pocket with a hefty fine after he was photographed flouting road rules by riding an e-scooter in Melbourne with his girlfriend Costeen Hatzi and with no helmet.