Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios is yet to dismiss the potential of his participation in the Indian Wells Masters, despite experiencing some discomfort in his wrist. The ATP veteran was in the middle of a promising practice session when he felt a certain amount of pain in his wrist, thus sparking concerns about his ability to compete in the desert-based tournament.
Kyrgios, a seven-time ATP titleholder, arrived at Indian Wells with the aspiration of competing in his third tournament for the season. However, his abrupt termination of a practice session at the beginning of the week, accompanied by him clutching his wrist, prompted immediate apprehensions about his tournament participation.
The 29-year-old has since shed light on the incident that unfolded on the practice court. “To be honest, I was feeling fantastic. I was an hour into practice, and towards the end, I started to feel a twinge in my wrist,” he explained on Tennis Channel. “Unfortunately, it seems like my body just can’t catch a break at the moment, but these are hurdles you have to overcome. I’m doing everything possible to be match-ready.”
Kyrgios is set to challenge qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp, with the victor progressing to face Novak Djokovic in the second round. Despite his physical hurdle, Kyrgios remains determined to cause a stir on the court.
In recent years, several Grand Slam winners and top-10 players, including Juan Martin del Potro, Dominic Thiem, and Kei Nishikori, have undergone surgery for wrist injuries. The aftermath of these procedures has seen these athletes struggle to replicate their pre-surgery performance levels.
Kyrgios, in his interview, empathized with these players and their grueling journey back to the court post-surgery. The 2022 Wimbledon finalist stated, “Del Potro, Thiem, and Nishikori… it takes time to get back at that level you once were at, and sometimes you might not ever reach it again. Thiem, for instance, was a Grand Slam champion, and yet, he struggled to make a dent on his return. I now understand the magnitude of the challenge before me.”
