Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of the Australian Open 2023 without stepping foot on the court. The 27-year-old announced his decision on the eve of his opening match and said he was 'devastated' to have missed out on his home grand slam.

Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of the Australian Open 2023 without stepping foot on the court. The 27-year-old announced his decision on the eve of his opening match and said he was 'devastated' to have missed out on his home grand slam. “It’s just bad timing. That’s life, you know. Injuries are part of sport...I’m not doubting that I’ll be back to my full strength. Devastated obviously," said Kyrgios in a hastily arranged press conference. "It’s my home tournament and going into this event as one of the favourites, it’s brutal.” The Australian had been struggling with an ankle issue, leading into the event. Kyrgios' physio Will Maher informed the media that a cyst had formed as a result of a small tear in his lateral meniscus. The divisive Australian participated in a charity match alongside Novak Djokovic last Friday. Maher said the match was used to see if Kyrgios could compete at the Grand Slam. However, he “didn’t pull up great” from Friday’s match. Read more: Nick Kyrgios settles legal case with Wimbledon fan he accused of being drunk “We used the charity event against Novak to see if he could compete at the highest level...it was worth persevering to see if he can get back on court." The defending champion in the doubles is expected to undergo arthroscopic surgery to remove the cyst. The rehabilitation process may take five-six weeks and Kyrgios might only be available for Indian Wells which starts in March. After years of underachieving, Kyrgios had a terrific run of form in the second half of 2022, winning the title in Washington and reaching his first Grand Slam singles final at Wimbledon and the US Open quarter-finals. In the Australian Open 2022, Kyrgios partnered up with his countryman Thanasi Kokkinakis and went the distance by winning the title at Melbourne Park. Kyrgios has become the latest high-profile name to have withdrawn from the Australian Open. Previously, it was Japanese Naomi Osaka who withdrew from the tournament due to her pregnancy. Read more: Heartbreak! World no. 1 Carlos Alcaraz to miss Australian Open due to an injury (With inputs from agencies) WATCH WION LIVE HERE:

Australian Open 2023: 'Devastated' Nick Kyrgios pulls out of the tournament due to injury

Nick Kyrgios has apologised to a fan he accused of being "drunk out of her mind" during his loss in this year's Wimbledon final and donated 20,000 pounds ($22,750) to a charity of her choice following a legal case.

Kyrgios, well known for his outbursts, complained to the umpire during his match against Novak Djokovic in July, saying that the fan had been talking to him during points.

Asked by the umpire to identify the fan, Kyrgios said: "The one with the dress, the one who looks like she's had about 700 drinks, bro!"

Anna Palus said that the 27-year-old Australian had defamed her by making "a reckless and entirely baseless allegation" and began legal action in August, adding any damages she wins would be donated to charity.

Kyrgios apologised in a statement released to British media by Knight Temple Law, which represented Palus.

Also Read: <a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/alcaraz-retires-with-injury-as-auger-aliassime-powers-into-semi-finals-531309">Carlos&nbsp;Alcaraz retires with injury as Auger-Aliassime powers into semi-finals</a>

"I told the umpire that a fan, who I now know to be Anna Palus, was distracting me during the match, believing that she was drunk," Kyrgios said in the statement.

"I accept that belief was mistaken, and I apologise.

"To make amends, I have donated 20,000 pounds to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, a charity chosen by Ms Palus. I will not be commenting on this matter again."

Also Read:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/austrian-ex-judo-champion-peter-seisenbacher-freed-after-sex-abuse-conviction-531227">Austrian ex-judo champion Peter Seisenbacher freed after serving time for sex abuse</a>

After years of underachieving, Kyrgios had a terrific run of form in the second half of 2022, winning the title in Washington and reaching his first Grand Slam singles final at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open quarter-finals.

Nick Kyrgios has apologised to a fan he accused of being "drunk out of her mind" during his loss in this year's Wimbledon final and donated 20,000 pounds ($22,750) to a charity of her choice following a legal case.

Nick Kyrgios has apologised to a fan he accused of being "drunk out of her mind" during his loss in this year's Wimbledon final and donated 20,000 pounds ($22,750) to a charity of her choice following a legal case. Kyrgios, well known for his outbursts, complained to the umpire during his match against Novak Djokovic in July, saying that the fan had been talking to him during points. Asked by the umpire to identify the fan, Kyrgios said: "The one with the dress, the one who looks like she's had about 700 drinks, bro!" Anna Palus said that the 27-year-old Australian had defamed her by making "a reckless and entirely baseless allegation" and began legal action in August, adding any damages she wins would be donated to charity. Kyrgios apologised in a statement released to British media by Knight Temple Law, which represented Palus. Also Read: Carlos Alcaraz retires with injury as Auger-Aliassime powers into semi-finals "I told the umpire that a fan, who I now know to be Anna Palus, was distracting me during the match, believing that she was drunk," Kyrgios said in the statement. "I accept that belief was mistaken, and I apologise. "To make amends, I have donated 20,000 pounds to the Great Ormond Street Hospital Charity, a charity chosen by Ms Palus. I will not be commenting on this matter again." Also Read: Austrian ex-judo champion Peter Seisenbacher freed after serving time for sex abuse After years of underachieving, Kyrgios had a terrific run of form in the second half of 2022, winning the title in Washington and reaching his first Grand Slam singles final at Wimbledon and the U.S. Open quarter-finals.

Nick Kyrgios settles legal case with Wimbledon fan he accused of being drunk

nick-kyrgios-case

Nick Kyrgios Case, News on Nick Kyrgios Case, stories on Nick Kyrgios Case, articles on Nick Kyrgios Case, Nick Kyrgios Case stories at Wion, Nick Kyrgios Case news, Nick Kyrgios Case latest news

nick kyrgios-case

Australian Open 2023: 'Devastated' Nick Kyrgios pulls out of the tournament due to injury

Nick Kyrgios settles legal case with Wimbledon fan he accused of being drunk