Nick Kyrgios pulls out of US Open, misses all 4 Grand Slams in 2023

It’s a sombre day for tennis as the news breaks that Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the US Open. This marks a year of absence from all four Grand Slam tournaments for the Australian tennis player, a shocking turn of events after his strong run in 2022.

The 28-year-old Canberra-born player was set to make his return in the upcoming US Open. However, on Thursday, it was announced that he had decided to withdraw from the tournament. This means that Kyrgios will have missed all four Grand Slam tournaments in 2023, a startling reality considering his impressive performance just a year ago when he reached his first major final.

Kyrgios started 2023 on a low note, sitting out the Australian Open because of an injured left knee that required arthroscopic surgery. His recovery period extended over the next few months, causing him to miss the French Open as well. His absence from these two back-to-back Grand Slams marked a significant setback in his career.

He has played only one singles match this year, which ended in a loss in Stuttgart, Germany, in June. Injuries have plagued him throughout the year, forcing him to sit out most of the season. The severity of these injuries is evident from the fact that they have kept a player of his calibre out of action for so long.

After his defeat in Stuttgart, he withdrew from Wimbledon citing a wrist injury. It was at this prestigious tournament in 2022 that Kyrgios showcased his potential by finishing as the runner-up to Novak Djokovic.

All the time away from competitive tennis has led to a decline in Kyrgios’ ATP rankings. He currently stands at No. 92, a sharp drop for a player who was a finalist in a Grand Slam tournament just the previous year. The ranking dip signifies the challenges that lay ahead for him as he plans his comeback.