Nick Kyrgios faces another injury setback in his planned return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open after an abdominal strain forced him to withdraw from an exhibition with Novak Djokovic this week.

The former world No.13 is scheduled to face world No.2 Alex Zverev in the third round but he must first beat Edinburgh’s world No.83 Fearnley. “He took Novak (Djokovic) to four sets at Wimbledon so he’s definitely dangerous and I’ve got a big target on my back,” Kyrgios said.

Britain’s Jacob Fearnley was handed a blockbuster Australian Open debut against Nick Kyrgios. Scot Fearnley was still at college in the United States during last year’s tournament but has rocketed up to 86 in the world after a stunning start to his professional tennis career, which included taking a set off Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.

Nick Kyrgios threw fresh doubt on whether he will play in the Australian Open after withdrawing from an exhibition match. The Australian, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2022, returned to action in Brisbane last week after playing only one singles match since October 2022 following knee and wrist surgeries.

The Australian had been due to play in an exhibition match alongside Novak Djokovic, but pulled out due to an abdominal injury

Nick Kyrgios ’s return to the Australian Open has been thrown into doubt amid a fresh injury scare. The Australian, who reached the Wimbledon final in 2022, returned to action in Brisbane last week after playing only one singles match since October 2022 following knee and wrist surgeries.

Britain's Jacob Fearnley is set to face Nick Kyrgios - and a partisan home crowd - in the controversial Australian's return to Grand Slam tennis.

Nick Kyrgios’ planned return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open is in doubt after he sustained an abdominal injury and was forced to withdraw from an exhibition with Novak Djokovic this week.

Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from an exhibition event with Novak Djokovic scheduled for Thursday due to an abdominal strain, casting more doubt on the former Wimbledon finalist's chances of making his Australian Open comeback this month.

Nick Kyrgios says he is doing all he can to be fit for the Australian Open after withdrawing from an exhibition match with an abdominal strain.