Nick Kyrgios said Australian co-captain Lleyton Hewitt threw him “under the bus” after his decision to withdraw from the United Cup mixed-team tournament to be in top condition for next month’s Australian Open.
World number 22 Kyrgios, who enjoyed a magnificent 2022 by winning the Australian Open men’s doubles title and finishing second to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final, withdrew from the joint ATP and WTA event on Wednesday with injury. .
Hewitt said on Thursday that he was unaware of Kyrgios’ retirement until the 27-year-old’s announcement and expressed frustration at their lack of communication.
Australia’s Ajla Tomljanovic withdrew from her match against Britain’s Harriet Dart on Friday with a left knee injury and Kyrgios responded to a Twitter post asking if co-captain Sam Stosur would treat her similarly.
“Hmm, I wonder if Stosur will throw her under the bus like our captain did with me… ‘hard to prepare when you don’t know what’s going on,'” Kyrgios said.
Kyrgios, who opted out of Australia’s Davis Cup squad this year, said he had contacted Tennis Australia chief executive Craig Tiley, as well as United Cup tournament director Stephen Farrow, about his injury.
The mercurial Australian trained on the practice courts at Sydney’s Olympic Park on Friday. The Australian Open begins on January 16.
