26-year-old Nick Kyrgios finally became a Grand Slam champion at the Australian Open 2022. He won the doubles Grand Slam title alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis. Even though he lost to Russian Daniil Medvedev in their second-round single encounter, Kyrgios more than utilized his doubles wildcard with compatriot and childhood friend Kokkinakis. However, it seems that the Aussie star is not going to return to the slopes just yet.
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Kyrgios, who planned on playing at the Delray Beach Open this month, has withdrawn from the tournament.
Nick Kyrgios won’t be hitting the beach
The Delray Beach Open is an ATP 250 event, and Nick Kyrgios would have been one of the highlights of the tournament. After all, Kyrgios tends to have the spotlight wherever he goes.
However, as reported by Australian Tennis Reporter Jedd Zetzer, Kyrgios has withdrawn from the tournament. Thus, fans wishing to feel the ecstatic energy he brings to a court would be disappointed to see him not competing.
Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the Delray Beach Open next week.
— Jedd Zetzer (@JeddZetzer) February 6, 2022
In fact, this even reminds many of 2020, when Kyrgios had also withdrawn from the same tournament. Kyrgios had pulled out from the 2020 Delray Beach Open owing to a wrist injury.
On the other hand, right now the reason for his pre-emptive exit from the hard-court tournament this year is unclear. Additionally, alongside Kyrgios, American star Frances Tiafoe, too, has bowed out of the tournament before it starts.
Tiafoe announced an indefinite break from tennis in order to properly address his elbow injury. Consequently, in their stead, American World No. 41 Tommy Paul has accepted a wildcard entry into the Delray Beach Open.
Kyrgios snubbed in Australian Davis Cup team
The 2022 Davis Cup is nigh, but Nick Kyrgios failed to make it to the Australian team. However, his doubles partner and fellow Grand Slam champion Thanasi Kokkinakis will be playing.
Team captain Lleyton Hewitt instead chose to select debutant Luke Saville who is confident in the team. Additionally, he also praised Thanasi Kokkinakis for winning his maiden ATP title at home in Adelaide.
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Despite celebrating a maiden doubles victory at the Australian Open, Nick Kyrgios will not play in next month’s tie against Hungary in Sydney @Pierik_AgeSport | #Tennis #DavisCup #Kyrgios https://t.co/xr6eiq9ozn
— The Age (@theage) February 5, 2022
Kokkinakis himself is “obviously stoked” to be playing the Davis Cup this year. Nevertheless, many will undoubtedly question the decision to exclude Kyrgios from the Australian team.
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Would you have been more excited about the Australian campaign in the Davis Cup had Nick Kyrgios been included?
WATCH THIS STORY: From Nick Kyrgios Drinking Beer to Seagull Stopping a Match: Most Hilarious Moments at The Australian Open 2022