Nick Kyrgios: Abdominal strain 'not too serious'

An abdominal strain could cause Nick Kyrgios to withdraw from the Australian Open, scheduled to begin Sunday.

Kyrgios said the strain is "not too serious" and he will try to play in Melbourne.

Still, he pulled out of an exhibition match with Novak Djokovic, citing the injury.

"I've had an ultrasound on my abdominal and have a grade 1 strain," he posted to Instagram, also announcing he wouldn't be able to play with Djokovic on Thursday as planned.

"Will be resting and doing everything I can to be ok by the AusOpen."

Kyrgios told Australia's 7News that he's doing what he can to be ready for his home-country major tournament.

"I've still got five days up my sleeve," he said. "I'm probably not going to serve for the next couple of days. I've got a couple of practices scheduled and I'll do everything I can.

"It's not too serious. I'll just take it day by day and give myself the best chance."

Kyrgios, 29, played his first singles match in about 18 months last week, and also played doubles with Djokovic at the Brisbane International. Surgeries to a knee and wrist had sidelined him.

Kyrgios rose to as high at No. 13 in the ATP rankings in 2016.

--Field Level Media