Nick Kyrgios says no Australian Open withdrawal just yet

Nick Kyrgios has made it clear that as things stand at the moment, he will be playing at the 2025 Australian Open. The Aussie, who returned to action after a long injury layoff, experienced concerns at the Brisbane International in the lead-up to Melbourne.

Kyrgios took on Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in his opener at Brisbane, and fell in a tight three-setter, with all three sets going to tiebreaks. During the match, the 29-year-old had to call the physio on the court, drawing concerns about another injury and a possible withdrawal from the first Grand Slam of the year.

However, in his pre-tournament press conference on Friday, the former World No. 13 has insisted that that will not be the case just yet. While he admitted that he felt something in his abdomen during practice after Brisbane, Kyrgios revealed that he will be going for more practice at Melbourne Park in the coming days.

"I mean, obviously had a really good return, I think a successful return to Brisbane. Had a lot of fun. Obviously carrying the greatest of all time in doubles wasn't on my résumé. Now it is. Yeah, had a really successful singles match against one of the most confident players on the tour," Nick Kyrgios said.

"Went home for a couple of days, and obviously just tried to get a bit more under my legs. Hit some more tennis balls. Obviously felt my abdomen a little bit. Today, this morning, was out there feeling pretty good. I'm actually hitting again this afternoon to test it out a little bit and see how it feels," he added.

With more than 48 hours left before his first match (Kyrgios is likely to play on Tuesday -- third day of the tournament), the Aussie wanted to take it day by day and enjoy his presence at his home Slam after a two-year no-show.

"As of right now, I still have three days before the tournament starts for me. Yeah, I'm just taking it day by day. Just enjoying all the moments again, being a part of the tournament, going through the hallways, locker room, seeing everyone again. It's been an emotional time for me the last couple weeks," Nick Kyrgios said.

Speaking about the state of his body at the moment, Kyrgios did not show much worry, emphasizing that he could manage any minor issue unless his wrist (the original injury that kept him out of action in 2024) started acting up.

"After Brisbane, it was really encouraging. Obviously my body was struggling a little bit. I was like, Okay, I'm going to try to build on that. Then obviously had a little bit more of a setback," Kyrgios said.

"I think it's just part of the game. Niggles. I don't think anyone really feels 100%. Look, as long as it's not something like my wrist again, I think I can manage it," he added.

"I feel I haven't been away from the game" - Nick Kyrgios

2025 Australian Open Previews - Source: Getty

At the press conference, Nick Kygios also spoke about his mental state ahead of the 2025 Australian Open. While he admitted that he has been absent from competition, he stated his belief that he feels like he hasn't been away from tennis at all, with plenty of training sessions done to keep him fit and raring to go.

"I feel like I haven't been away from the game. Competitively I have been, but I don't feel like that. I feel like I've been playing more tennis, more than ever. I think me trying to emulate the match load in training, the body getting used to it again, anyone that has had an injury that's kept them out of the game for a year plus know that it's so hard to load manage, because you're trying to get ready for the match intensity," he said.

In Melbourne, Kyrgios will open his campaign against Britain's Jacob Fearnley in the first round.