Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the ATP 250 event in US Open warm-up circuit with knee pain
Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the Winston-Salem Open, an ATP 250 tournament that is part of the warm-up before the US Open.
In a last-minute call, Kyrgios said that he is struggling with his left knee and opted to sit out of the event.
Kyrgios was set to face former World No.1 Andy Murray in the first round.
“With the U.S. Open just around the corner, I just didn’t feel it was worth the risk of going out there and possibly making it worse, not giving myself the best shot to perform at the U.S. Open,” Kyrgios told reporters.
“To play Andy Murray, a good friend and tennis icon, would have been amazing but I had to look after my body. And with the Grand Slam next week, I wanted to be more cautious,” he said.
Kyrgios said that he intends to play in the US Open. “I am playing the U.S. Open 100 per cent, it’s not like I am finishing my season. I needed more time to get right… the best option today was to rest it,” he said.
World number 85 Kyrgios had earlier skipped the Tokyo Olympics because he did not want to play in front of empty stands.
