“I’m just extremely sorry”, Kyrgios pulled out of Atlanta singles due to knee issues

Australia’s Nick Kyrgios pulled out of his first round singles match against Peter Gojowczyk at the ATP Atlanta Open on Tuesday night, moments before he was scheduled to take the court due to left knee issues.

Kyrgios was the headlining act for the evening session but walked on to the court to aplogise to the crowd who had packed the stadium to see him play his first singles match since losing to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.

“First of all, I just want to say I’m extremely shattered that I’m not able to compete tonight,” Kyrgios said. “I’ve won this tournament once and I’m playing probably some of the best tennis of my career. All I wanted to do was come out here and give you guys a show, but I’m unable to give my best performance today. I’m just extremely sorry, but I’m going to keep my hopes up and maybe be able to continue doubles with Thanasi this week.”

Kyrgios was replaced by lucky loser Adrian Mannarino, who went on to beat Gojowczyk 6-3, 7-6.

The Australian is still hopeful of competing in the doubles draw on Wednesday when he and partner Thanasai Kokkinakis take on Escobar Gonzalo/ Hunter Reese in the quarter-finals.

“I wanted to come out here and see you guys face-to-face to tell you that I love you guys, and hopefully next year in singles hopefully I’ll be able to compete and give it my all.”

The Australian Open doubles champion had defeated French duo Nicolas Mahut and Edouard Roger-Vasselin. in their opening round on Monday night.

You might also like this

Kyrgios bulks American summer schedule with wild card entry into Cincinnati

tennis majors

Atlanta Open: Mannarino replaces Kyrgios with a win over Gojowczyk

tennis majors

“Would absolutely love to have him playing for us” – Captain Hewitt wants Kyrgios in Davis Cup squad

tennis majors

“Dinner is on me in NYC” – Will the Djokovic-Kyrgios bromance continue at the US Open?

tennis majors

‘My level is right there’ – Nick Kyrgios missed his chance at tennis immortality, but feels confident after loss to Djokovic

tennis majors

“At the start of the match it was only about serving. If it had stayed like that, Kyrgios would have won” – Mouratoglou on the Wimbledon final

tennis majors