Kyrgios plans to gobble pain-killers to make it to the AO

Nick Kyrgios has vowed to empty the medicine cabinet to ensure he manages to front up for the Australian Open after missing the last two editions of his home Grand Slam.

The controversial player who had one match over the 2023 and 2024 seasons, will be coming off a loss in Brisbane last week as he tries for a fresh and injury-free start.

While complaining only days ago of injury woes and casting doubt on his fitness (abdominal strain) for the Open which begins on Sunday, the 29-year-old completely changed his story on Thursday at the tournament draw in Melbourne.

The former Wimbledon finalist whose current ranking hovers around the 1,000 mark has suddenly pronounced himself “nearing 100 per cent” form as he sets up to meet Briton Jacob Fearnley in the first round.

“I’m nearing 100 per cent to play. I can take a lot of painkillers and try to tough it out. It could be my last Australian Open and I don’t know how long I’ll be coming to this amazing event.
“It’s one of the best events we have here. I’m not going to take it for granted, I’ll do absolutely everything I can to get out there. there’s still three days to go.

“If it’s not one thing it’s another. I’ve done everything I possibly can to come back from a wrist reconstruction. It grabbed in practice so the next couple of days will be pretty light.”