Nick Kyrgios baffles teammates with last minute United Cup withdrawal
Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of the inaugural United Cup, citing an injury, with his Australian teammates finding out only minutes before their press conference.
“We literally just found out 10 minutes ago. Obviously it’s news to all of us and we just move forward now,” co-captain Sam Stosur told reporters.
Nick Kyrgios was supposed to lead his country in the new mixed-gender team event, which is being held in Sydney, Brisbane and Perth and offers ranking points and $15 million in prize-money.
World No.22 Kyrgios seemed unfazed by the whole situation as he posted a video to his Instagram story captioned, “Beautiful day.”
It's unlikely this Instagram story will endear Nick Kyrgios with his already frustrated Aussie teammates @BenHorne8
Latest: https://t.co/8ivYvjqbdD pic.twitter.com/F1xck0aTg6
— Herald Sun Sport (@heraldsunsport) December 28, 2022
Alex de Minaur will now move into the number one men’s position for Team Australia, and wanted to focus on the upcoming event in his home country.
“I think it would be great if we just talk about this great team,” he said. “We are all here, we are all happy to be here, we are about to play an exciting new event.”
Australia are in a group with Great Britain and Spain, with their ties being played in Sydney. Kyrgios was expected to be one of the main draws at this tournament, and was supposed to have played Cameron Norrie and Rafael Nadal.
Australia take on Great Britain on Thursday, as De Minaur will now face world No.14 Norrie, before Australian team-mate Zoe Hives faces Britain’s Katie Swan.
Friday sees the tie continue as Alja Tomljanovic faces Harriet Dart, in a Billie Jean King Cup semi-final rematch, and Jason Kubler plays Dan Evans before the final mixed doubles rubber.
Great Britain will take on Spain, lead by Nadal and Paula Badosa on Saturday, before the final tie of the group between Spain and Australia begins on Monday 2nd January, with the group winners heading to the city final.
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