IW pullout fears for fragile Kyrgios

Fears that injury magnet Nick Kyrgios could pull the plug on yet another tournament were growing in Indian Wells after the prickly Australian quit a training session.

The one-time top 20 player whose multiple seasons of injuries have left him barely a part-timer  has managed just three matches in three seasons, with his last outing a first-round loss at the Australian Open.

The 29-year-old whose main public profile is now built on social media attacks on players he doesn’t particularly appreciate – Jannik Sinner now, Novak Djokovic in the recent past – was seen to be doubled over in apparent pain on the bench as he called his training to a halt in the Californian sunshine.

Kyrgios faces a first-round test with Dutch qualifier Botic van de Zandschulp on Thursday with that winner facing Djokovic in the second round.

Kyrgios was favouring his right wrist as he stopped his training; the tendon on that wrist was surgically repaired two years ago, one of the player’s many misfortunes.

Kyrgios last played Indian Wells in 2022.

Main photo:- Nick Kyrgios last played at the 2025 Australian Open losing in the first round