Nick Kyrgios dismissed a tennis insider’s report by simply acknowledging that he can’t be a part of ESPN’s coverage for the Australian Open when he is set to compete at the tournament.
While sidelined, the 2022 Wimbledon runner-up had multiple broadcasting gigs as he covered the Australian Open, Wimbledon, as well as the US Open.
Before kicking off his comeback, the 29-year-old said he enjoyed his time in the booth but noted that it was time for him to return to the court.
But for some reason, tennis insider Jon Wertheim issued a post, which appeared to suggest that ESPN refused to put the seven-time ATP champion on their team for the opening Grand Slam of the year.
“Read into this what you will, but Nick Kyrgios will *not* be part of the ESPN @AustralianOpen 2025 broadcast team,” Wertheim wrote on X.
The former world No. 13 noticed the post and reacted: “Uhhhh because I’m playing singles and doubles – slow media day huh (laughing emoji).”
Uhhhh because I’m playing singles and doubles – slow media day huh 😂😭
— Nicholas Kyrgios (@NickKyrgios) January 3, 2025
Kyrgios cast doubts on his Australian Open participation
After losing a two-and-a-half-hour thriller to Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in the Brisbane first round, the 29-year-old shared that his wrist was in pain and indicated that he may skip the Happy Slam.
Nick Kyrgios© X screenshot
“After today I’m super excited for the Australian Open. If I’m able to play, I’m able to play. But the reality kind of set in for me,” he said after the match.
“That’s a best-of-three match with my wrist. If I’m able to [play], not only is a Grand Slam mentally really draining, it’s physically a grind.
“I think I almost need a miracle, and I need, like, the stars to align for my wrist to hold up in a Grand Slam for sure.”
Following these comments, Kyrgios also appeared in a doubles match with Novak Djokovic – after which he said that he was in “throbbing pain” and reiterated that his participation in Melbourne was not set in stone.
Tennis World USA