Nick Kyrgios faces another injury setback in his planned return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open after an abdominal strain forced him to withdraw from an exhibition with Novak Djokovic this week.

The former world No.13 is scheduled to face world No.2 Alex Zverev in the third round but he must first beat Edinburgh’s world No.83 Fearnley. “He took Novak (Djokovic) to four sets at Wimbledon so he’s definitely dangerous and I’ve got a big target on my back,” Kyrgios said.

Britain’s Jacob Fearnley was handed a blockbuster Australian Open debut against Nick Kyrgios. Scot Fearnley was still at college in the United States during last year’s tournament but has rocketed up to 86 in the world after a stunning start to his professional tennis career, which included taking a set off Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.

Nick Kyrgios’ planned return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open is in doubt after he sustained an abdominal injury and was forced to withdraw from an exhibition with Novak Djokovic this week.

Mats Wilander believes Nick Kyrgios has the capability of causing a 'big upset' in the Australian Open, but has raised concerns about the Aussie star's fitness. Kyrgios' first-round match against Jacob Fearnley next week will be his first match in a major tournament in over two years.

Nick Kyrgios is in a race to be fit for the Australian Open after suffering an abdominal strain, forcing him to pull out of a match against Novak Djokovic

Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios was supposed to play an exhibition singles match against Novak Djokovic at the Rod Laver Arena on Thursday night to begin 'A Night with Novak', but he has withdrawn from that due to an abdominal injury.

Nick Kyrgios sparked a major concern on Thursday ahead of the start of the 2025 edition of the Australian Open as the Aussie withdrew from an exhibition match, where he was due to play Novak Djokovic,