Nick Kyrgios suffered an Australian Open scare when he pulled out of his opening match at the Kooyong Classic with a right foot injury.
The 20-year-old Australian handed David Goffin victory as he retired with the score at 6-7 (5/7), 3-2 to the Belgian. The year’s first Grand Slam starts on Monday in Melbourne.
“I felt it in training yesterday,” said Kyrgios, the world No. 30, after pulling the plug as a precaution at the 12-man Grand Slam warm-up event. “I started feeling it again today when the treatment wore off.
“I have to think about next week, I really hate to do this but I had to.”
The colourful contender finished with 15 aces, including four in his final service game of the second set.
“Hate withdrawing, so sorry to everyone @KooyongClassic I just have to make sure I’m right for next week & I will be,” he tweeted.
Belgium’s Goffin, who had to deal not only with an injured opponent but with the swirling wind which characterises the club, said he was sorry that the match could not be completed.
“Even if it was a set and a half, it was hard to play,” he said. “It was very hot on court (around 40 Celsius) and there is always a wind. I understand Nick’s worry and the pullout. He’s never easy to play with that big serve and forehand.”
Spain’s Pablo Carreno-Busta earlier beat the 2006 Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis 6-4, 6-4, without dropping serve.
“I had a good finish, I’m very happy,” the Spaniard said. “I played some good tennis against a good player. I tried a few drop shots near the end just to change things a bit and they worked.
