JABAR EKSPRES – Australian Nick Kyrgios says he has “tried everything” to get back in shape after withdrawing from the Wimbledon warm-up tournament in Halle on Monday due to a knee problem.

The 28-year-old, who lost the 2022 Wimbledon final in four sets to Novak Djokovic, had surgery to repair a meniscus injury in his left knee in January.

“I tried everything here in Halle to get fit over the last few days, but I had to make the decision to withdraw,” Kyrgios said, quoted from AFP, Tuesday (6/20).

“When I play, I want to perform like I did here last year when I was in the semifinals, but that’s not possible.”

Kyrgios, ranked 31st in the world, is scheduled to face Italy’s Lorenzo Sonego on Tuesday morning at the German grass court tournament, one of the most important events ahead of Wimbledon, which starts on July 3.

Kyrgios complained of limited movement after his first round loss to Wu Yibing in Stuttgart earlier this month.

“I felt my knee hurting at every point. I can’t walk without pain,” Kyrgios said.

With a 37-10 win-loss record, Kyrgios played the best season of his career in 2022, recording 12 wins as tour leader on grass.

His place in Halle will be taken by Russian world number 45 Aslan Karatsev.