WATCH: Kyrgios Cancels Practice Due To Injury, Puts Potential Djokovic Match In Doubt
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Footage has emerged of Nick Kyrgios stopping his practice session at the 2025 Indian Wells Open, which puts the controversial player's participation at the tournament in significant doubt.
Kyrgios made just his second and third professional appearances since 2022 during the season's opening month at the 2025 Brisbane International and the 2025 Australian Open after being absent with severe knee and wrist problems.
The wrist issue was particularly troublesome, and Kyrgios eventually had a wrist reconstruction. After the successful surgery, the Australian spoke ambitiously about wanting to win a Grand Slam and silenced his doubters afterward.
Unfortunately, Kyrgios' wrist has struggled to deal with the strain of professional matches. He admitted to being in much pain after losing his match against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the Brisbane International.
Kyrgios was in even more discomfort during his loss to Jacob Fearnley at the Australian Open. Despite bravely finishing the match, the former Wimbledon runner-up admitted afterward that he had probably played his singles contest at the tournament.
That downbeat assessment meant Kyrgios might have been planning to play singles in Indian Wells for the final time. After being out for so long because of those injuries, he is in the draw with a protected ranking.
Recent footage of Kyrgios indicates he might need to withdraw from the Indian Wells Open. He was practicing with Sho Shimabukuro when he pulled up, clutching his wrist in pain.
Kyrgios stood and held his wrist for a full minute before someone from his team approached him. The Australian talked to them about how painful swinging with the pain. Eventually, he decided he could not play anymore.
After shaking hands with Shimabukuro, Kyrgios sat back down to pack up his stuff. He understandably looked distraught about that problem continuing after all his attempts at rehabilitation.
The 29-year-old is scheduled to face Botic van de Zandschulp in the opening round. He was initially drawn against Facundo Diaz Acosta, but the Argentine withdrew due to an injury, giving van de Zaandschulp a spot as a lucky loser.
However, Kyrgios's first-round opponent is not what most fans noticed when the ATP Indian Wells draw was made. If he wins in the opening round, Novak Djokovic will be his opponent in the round-of-64.
Djokovic and Kyrgios are good friends off the court. A few years ago, that would have been unimaginable since the two-time Citi Open champion used to regularly criticize and mock the Serbian tennis legend.
Their relationship changed after Kyrgios was among those who defended him during his detention when trying to enter Australia in 2022. The pair played doubles together at the Brisbane International, thrilling the fans.
Many fans worldwide would like to see a matchup between Djokovic and Kyrgios. Unfortunately, Kyrgios's finding it too painful to practice makes his participation unlikely, but nothing has been confirmed yet.
Djokovic will hope to improve on his performance in Indian Wells last year. The 24-time Grand Slam champion, whose coach Andy Murray will be at the tournament after they extended their partnership, lost to Luca Nardi 12 months ago.
