Nick Kyrgios expressed his heartbreak over Rafael Nadal’s withdrawal from the Australian Open this year. The 28-year-old Canberra-born tennis star, currently sidelined due to ongoing injuries from 2023, empathized with the Spaniard’s situation.
‘I know how hard he would have worked in the last year getting healthy,’ Kyrgios said via News Corp.
‘He wants to just play grand slams. That’s always been my fear is going out of the sport not on your terms where your body starts to tell you you’re maybe past it.
Nadal, 37, had aimed for a comeback after a strong performance at the Brisbane International but withdrew due to a “small problem” incurred during his match against Jordan Thompson.
And Rafa is someone who is so important to the sport and it just takes time. It broke my heart seeing that.’
Kyrgios, not participating in the tournament due to his injuries, shared updates on his wrist injury while being at QT Melbourne ahead of the event. Despite not playing, Kyrgios will contribute to the event through punditry duties during this year’s grand slam.
‘I’ve been in the gym every day and when you’re injured people think you don’t do anything,’ he said.
‘I’m really excited and doing plenty of things off court, the positive is I can have a drink now and enjoy places like the QT Rooftop.’ he concluded.
