Nick Kyrgios suffers a MAJOR blow just days out from Wimbledon – as tennis bad boy slams sport’s bosses over controversial rule change
- World No.45 has had to withdraw from Mallorca Championships with injury
- Bad news comes just days before Wimbledon begins, with Kyrgios unseeded
- Aussie lashed out at rule change that will see tennis lose one of its ‘unique traits’
Nick Kyrgios’ preparations for Wimbledon have been thrown into disarray with the Aussie star forced to pull out of an important warm-up tournament on Wednesday after being struck down by injury.
The world No.45 quit the Mallorca Championships after coming back from a set down to beat Laslo Djere in a marathon match that left him with damaged abdominal muscles.
‘I have been playing a lot of great matches lately and unfortunately I woke up with a pain in my abs,’ Kyrgios said in a statement.
‘I went to see the tournament doctor right away and he advised that I don’t play tonight. I really value the Mallorca Championships but I will follow his advice as I don’t want to risk Wimbledon next week.
Kyrgios hits a backhand during his four-set win over Laslo Djere at the Mallorca Championships. The clash left him with an abdominal injury
‘I was really looking forward to tonight’s match as I’ve been loving my time here. Mallorca is such a beautiful island with really nice people.’
He was due to face Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut in the round of 16.
The Australian also lashed out at the sport’s governing body for a huge rule change that will allow players to be given instructions by their coaches during games.
The Aussie has lashed out at a controversial rule change that will allow players to get instructions from their coaches during games
Kyrgios (pictured with partner Costeen Hatzi) says the new rule robs tennis of one of its ‘unique traits’
The Association of Tennis Professionals (ATP) will trial the system later this year.
‘Completely disagree. Loses one of the only unique traits that no other sport had,’ Kyrgios wrote on Twitter.
‘The player had to figure things out on his own. That was the beauty of it. What happens if [it’s] a high-profile player versus a low-ranked player who doesn’t have or [can’t] afford a coach?’
The change will come into effect immediately after Wimbledon, which Kyrgios goes into unseeded despite showing great grass court form in recent weeks.
The lack of a seeing means he will almost certainly face a highly ranked opponent when the draw is released on Thursday morning, British time.