Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the Australian Open for the second year in a row.
The 28-year-old has played only one match in 2023, on grass in Stuttgart in June, and his withdrawal appeared inevitable when his name was absent from the entry list for next month's tournament.
"This is a very disappointing time for me but I won't be able to compete at the 2024 Australian Open," Kyrgios said on social media.
"Obviously, heartbreaking. I've had so many amazing memories there and I just want to really get back to playing at the top of my game and doing it right, and I need a little more time.
“I was so close to winning a Grand Slam, I want to make sure that my body is going to have the time it needs to come back so please bear with me.”
Kyrgios pulled out on the eve of his first-round match at Melbourne Park in January and revealed he needed knee surgery.
At the time he was optimistic the lay-off would not be too long but it was June when he finally returned, and that proved a false dawn.
Kyrgios, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2022, then withdrew just before the Championships, this time citing a wrist injury, and he has not been seen on a match court since. The 28-year-old is currently unranked because of the length of his absence.
He did though announce he will still be in Melbourne for the Australian Open next month, doing some media work.
Kyrgios said: "Even though I won’t be there competing this year at the AO, I still will be around, commentating matches. I’ve got some special things planned, so please be excited.”
