Nick Kyrgios’ Australian Open preparations have suffered a blow after the rising star was forced to pull out of the Hopman Cup due to a back injury.
Kyrgios was scheduled to play world No.6 Andy Murray, world No.43 Jerzy Janowicz and Frenchman Benoit Paire at the mixed-teams event, starting on Sunday.
But the 19-year-old announced his withdrawal on New Year’s Eve after struggling to overcome a back complaint.
As it stands, Kyrgios is still scheduled to play at the January 11-17 Sydney International in what will be his only warm-up event ahead of the Australian Open.
Kyrgios, who made worldwide headlines in 2014 when he beat Rafael Nadal at Wimbledon, said he was gutted to miss the Hopman Cup, where he would have teamed with Casey Dellacqua.
“Being selected for your country is always a privilege and I wish I could be there,” Kyrgios said.
“I hope to be able to play at the Hopman Cup one day in the future.”
Kyrgios, who will be replaced by West Australian Matthew Ebden at the January 4-10 event, becomes the fourth man to withdraw.
Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga, rising American star Jack Sock and Radek Stepanek were also struck down by injury.
Ebden, whose singles ranking slumped to 231 after a disappointing 2014 campaign, said he was pumped to earn a spot at his hometown event.
“It’s unfortunate that Nick has had to withdraw, but I can’t express how honoured and excited I am to represent Australia at the Hopman Cup,” Ebden said.
“Growing up as a junior in Perth, the Hopman Cup was our event. It was the tournament I went to when I was younger and it was one that I always wanted to play.
“I am pumped to play alongside Casey, another West Australian and someone I have known for many, many years.”
Ebden has captured four career doubles title, while Dellacqua is also a force on the doubles scene, having reached the Australian Open, US Open and Wimbledon finals in 2013 alongside Ashleigh Barty.
Australia’s Hopman Cup campaign begins on Sunday night when they take on Polish duo Agnieszka Radwanska and Janowicz.
