Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of the United Cup at the 11th hour, leaving his fellow Australians in disbelief.
Kyrgios’ withdrawal was announced on the eve of the event and his fellow Australians only found out moments before a press conference.
Kyrgios was due to hold the press conference at Sydney’s Olympic Park, but those gathered were informed of his withdrawal the day before the event began.
Kyrgios was due to face Cameron Norrie in the Australian’s first Group D match on Thursday evening. He cited several injuries as the reason for his withdrawal.
Krygios was injured in Dubai and will not play until the start of the Australian Open.
The Australian players went into the press conference with Sam Stosur saying the players found out just before they sat down.
“We literally just discovered each other 10 minutes ago,” Australian captain Stosur said.
Stosur said she had not spoken to Kyrgios since hearing the news of his withdrawal, nor would she comment on what it would mean for her preparations for the Australian Open.
Members of the Australian team were not aware of the reasons for Kyrgios’ withdrawal, only that he would not be lining up.
United Cup organizers released a statement on social media about the news: “Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the United Cup due to injury. Alex de Minaur will move into the men’s No. 1 position on the team of Australia and subsequently Jason Kubler will move into the No. 2 position.”
The Australian team now consists of Minaur, Kubler, John Peers, Ajla Tomljanovic, Zoe Hives, Maddison Inglis and Sam Stosur.
Despite losing her number one player, Stosur remained confident the Aussies could reign supreme at the event.
“We have amazing players on this team,” Stosur said. “Alex (de Minaur) is one of the best players in the world, Koobs (Kubler) has had an amazing year this year as well qualifying for a couple of slams, so as for the men’s team, we’re in very capable. still, I’m not worried that our chances will be reduced much or anything because of this. We’re here to do everything we can to try to win this competition. It won’t be easy, there are a lot of great players here, but we’re ready to go there and we’ll give everything we’ve got.”
De Minaur was unimpressed when asked for his thoughts on Kyrgios’ withdrawal, brushing off the questions in the hope that the focus would be on the team taking the court.
“You know, I think it would be great if we just talked about this great team, we’re all here, we’re all happy to be here, we’re about to play a new exciting event, something new for all of us, The United Copa” , he said.
“Let’s talk about it, it’s exciting. Everyone here is excited to play so we’re just going to have fun, it’s a great team around us and we’re happy to be here.”
The Australian Open will start on January 16.
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