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Brisbane International tournament director Cam Pearson says Nick Kyrgios’ intention remains to play in Australia and told the Australian tennis star that there is going to be a wildcard waiting for him if he determines that he is fit and healthy enough to play in January.
Kyrgios, a former world No 13, missed the 2023 Australian Open due to a knee injury, and after just returning to action in June, he suffered a wrist injury and hasn’t played since. Kyrgios is still recovering from the wrist injury and there are no guarantees that the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up will be able to play in Australia.
“Nick has come out publicly and said he really wants to play in the Australian summer. He’s still in his recovery mode, he’s got to do what’s best for him. We’d love to have him here – he’s a past champion and a fan favourite – but he needs to do what’s best for him and his recovery.
Nick’s got another week if he wanted to enter, but I think it will come down to Nick understanding what his body is telling him. If his recovery is right and he can play in January, there will always be a spot for him,” Brisbane tournament director Pearson said, via The Sydney Morning Herald.
Kyrgios is a past champion in Brisbane
Kyrgios, 28, has made two main draw appearances at the Brisbane International. Kyrgios’ first appearance in Brisbane came in 2013, when was beaten in the qualifying first round. Five years later, Kyrgios made his main draw debut in Brisbane.
In the 2018 Brisbane final, Kyrgios defeated Ryan Harrison to win Brisbane in his debut. The following year, Kyrgios failed to defend his title after stunningly losing to Jeremy Chardy in the round-of-16. If Kyrgios plays in Brisbane in January, he will be making his third main draw appearance at the tournament. It remains to be seen if Kyrgios will play in Brisbane, which takes place between December 31-January 07.
