Nick Kyrgios’ participation at Indian Wells is in major doubt.
The Australian was caught having to halt his practise session in California this week while he looked in visible discomfort.
Kyrgios is scheduled to play tomorrow (Thursday 6 March) against Botic van de Zandschulp in his first singles match since the Australian Open.
Should Kyrgios win his first match he will set up a blockbuster clash against Novak Djokovic in the second round, but now that mouth-watering clash is in huge doubt.
During practise on Monday, the 29-year-old was seen nursing his right wrist before his team came over to check on him.
He then walked off the court and ended his practise session, leading to fears he might have to withdraw from Indian Wells.
This is not the first time Kyrgios has had issues with his right wrist, having previously undergone surgery to repair it in the past.
Withdrawing from tournaments in the last minute is nothing new for Kyrgios.
In 2023, he pulled out of both the Australian and US Open on the eve of the respective tournaments due to injuries.
Before the Australian Open this year, Kyrgios still faced issues with his wrist despite playing and making no secret of it.
“I’ve got six holes in my hand and one in my arm [from surgery]. Not one tennis player has ever had this surgery and come back and tried to play again,” Kyrgios said in January.
“It’s all really an experimental [process]… no real protocol of how it’s going to be or how it’s going to pull up.”
There is still time for Kyrgios to recover with his first round clash not scheduled till Thursday afternoon.
Although, playing van de Zandschulp will also be an incredibly tough test for Kyrgios.
The Dutchman defeated Carlos Alcaraz at last year’s US Open and was also the man who took out Rafael Nadal in the Spaniard’s last professional match.
Should Kyrgios play at Indian Wells, it will be just his third singles match in 2025, with his only other bit of action being two defeats.
The first was a 7-6 (3), 6-3, 7-6 (2) first-round defeat to Jacon Fearnley at the Australian Open — a match the 29-year-old indicated may have been his last singles showing in Melbourne Park.
The second was a three-tiebreak loss to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Brisbane.
