Australian team captain Sam Stosur said Nick Kyrgios withdrawing from the United Cup was “news to all of us” as she didn’t notice anything that indicated that the 27-year-old would be forced to pull out of the tournament.
Just before the start of the inaugural United Cup, Kyrgios withdrew from the tournament citing an ankle injury. Kyrgios, who made his first Grand Slam final at Wimbledon, was expected to lead the Australian team in Sydney.
“I’m not going to speak for Nick’s summer, we’ve got to leave that for him. He was here. We literally just found out 10 minutes ago, so it’s obviously news to all of us. But we just move forward now.
We’re all happy to be here and keen to get out there. Now that’s out there, and we move forward with the placings of the team and do our best on the day. As far as the men’s side of this team goes, we’re in very capable hands still, so I’m not concerned that our chances have just diminished greatly or anything like that.
We’re out here to do everything we can possible to try and win this competition,” Stosur said.
Kyrgios wants to be ready for the Australian Open
According to reports, Kyrgios sustained an ankle injury at the World Tennis League in Dubai and he withdrew from the United Cup so he can focus on being fully fit for the Australian Open.
Initially, Kyrgios signed up to play two tournaments leading up to the Australian Open. This month, the Adelaide International organizers announced that Kyrgios signed up to compete in the Adelaide 2 tournament. The Adelaide International 2 tournament is taking place between 10-15 January.
The Adelaide 2 tournament is starting in two weeks so there is a chance Kyrgios decides to play there. It will be interesting to see what will Kyrgios do leading up to the Australian Open.
