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Due to a persistent knee problem, Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the Halle Open in Germany. The Australian on Monday said that he wanted to give his body the best possible chance to be prepared for the grass court Grand Slam in Wimbledon.
The 28-year-old had a surgical procedure done on his left knee earlier in the year, and lost to Wu Yibing of China last week in the first round of the Stuttgart Open on his comeback following a five-month break. The issue with his movement during that match caused Kyrgios to withdraw from the tournament in Halle, where he had advanced to the semifinals in 2022.
"Very unfortunate news. I won't be able to compete at Halle this year," Kyrgios said in a video released by organizers of the tournament. "I'm still dealing with a couple of things with my knee. Just trying to give myself the best opportunity to compete at Wimbledon,” Kyrgios further added.
Aslan Karatsev replaced Kyrgios in the Halle Open draw. The lucky loser, who advanced as a qualifier to his first ATP Masters 1000 semi-final in May in Madrid, will play Lorenzo Sonego in the opening round in Germany.
In 2022, Kyrgios had his most successful season to date, compiling a 37-10 record and setting a tour record with 12 victories on grass, including his first major final at Wimbledon. Notably, Wimbledon 2023 is expected to get underway from July 3 at the iconic All England Club in England.
