Kyrgios in tears as wrist lets him down

Nick Kyrgios shed tears of frustration on Thursday as he was forced to quit his opening match at the Indian Wells Masters and hand over a 7-6 (7), 3-0 win to Botik van de Zandschulp.

The Australian who played his last match nearly two months ago – a first-round Australian Open exit to Britain’s Jakob Fearnley – has competed only four times since the start of 2023.

Kyrgios gave an indication of his looming troubles with the persistent injury this week at the Californian desert venue as he quit a training session in pain.

His opponent, a lucky loser from qualifying, will now face five-time champion Novak Djokovic, the sixth seed who has overcome injury problems of his own in recent months.

Kyrgios and his Dutch opponent needed 65 minutes to complete the opening set, with the controversial Australian fighting back from a double break down and missing a set point chance in the ensuing tiebreaker.

But van de Zandschulp sealed it after breaking Kyrgios for 2-0 in the second set and holding serve before the Aussie called for the trainer.

He blinked back tears and rubbed his eyes as he spoke with the medical pro before going for the handshake after retiring and trudging dejectedly off the main showcourt at the Tennis Garden.

Main photo:- Nick Kyrgios feels his injured wrist after retiring – by ATPTour.com