Search

show me:

Nick Kyrgios pulls out of French Open

3 minute read

Nick Kyrgios won't make an appearance on the Paris clay after withdrawing from the French Open on Friday citing an illness.

NICK KYRGIOS of Australia plays a forehand against Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany during the Davis Cup match at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia.
NICK KYRGIOS of Australia plays a forehand against Jan-Lennard Struff of Germany during the Davis Cup match at Pat Rafter Arena in Brisbane, Australia. Picture: Bradley Kanaris/Getty Images

Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the French Open for the second-straight year, just days after claiming the Paris grand slam "sucked" in a social media video.

The polarising Australian was defaulted following an on-court outburst in Rome last week, before hitting with Andy Murray at Wimbledon in preparation for the tournament.

But he won't line up at Roland Garros after announcing his withdrawal due to illness on Friday, with scheduled first-round opponent Cameron Norrie to play a lucky loser instead.

Kyrgios has made no secret of his disdain for the slower clay conditions, taking to Instagram last week while walking through Wimbledon "saying the French Open sucks compared to this place. Sucks. Absolute sucks".

Last year he pulled the pin as he chased some respite from a nagging elbow injury but, other than his online grumbles, there were no suggestions this year that the 24-year-old wouldn't line up at the event until his announcement on Friday.

His withdrawal all but ends his brief but eventful clay swing that earned headlines off the court for his frank assessment of Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic in the NCR podcast.

He took aim at Djokovic's "cringeworthy" post-match celebrations and Rafael Nadal's "super salty" double standards while also slamming "god's gift" Fernando Verdasco.

His default closely followed those comments and, while he was fined and docked rankings points, Kyrgios remained free to play the French Open.

Think. Is this a bet you really want to place?

For free and confidential support call 1800 858 858 or visit www.gamblinghelponline.org.au