Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley has cast doubt on Nick Kyrgios' availability for the 2024 Australian Open off the back of the Aussie firebrand's lengthy run of injuries.
Kyrgios has only managed one match this year after his season was cruelled by repeat injuries.
The 28-year-old missed the Australian Open in January after undergoing knee surgery and then had his comeback plans at Wimbledon derailed after he tore a ligament in his right wrist. He subsequently withdrew from the final two grand slams.
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Once ranked world No.13, Kyrgios has since fallen to 192 in the ATP rankings.
Speaking last month at the Australian Open launch, Tiley was confident that Kyrgios would take to the court at Melbourne Park in January.
However, on Thursday, he conceded that Kyrgios would need to weigh up what was best for his body with the full 2024 season to consider.
"We have spoken to Nick, and he obviously wants to do the best he possibly can to give him the best chance to play in January," Tiley said.
"Nick's not only a brilliant tennis player but a pure entertainer so we always love seeing him on court and off court.
"Nick's position will be determined closer to the event but anytime we can get Nick, it's great for everyone."
Because of Kyrgios' slide in the rankings, Tiley suggested that the fan-favourite could receive a wildcard entry if deemed fit to play.
"I think whatever gets [him] the best chance to progress during the year," he said.
"We have wildcard exchanges with the French and Wimbledon, so there's an opportunity to really help an Australian player not just have one tournament to go into but several.
"So we'll weigh that all up to make a decision — we've got wildcards to do that.
"[Nick is] a drawcard not just here but globally.
"Whether he's playing, whether he's doing something else, Nick will be here in January and to get him to play will be great. But we've got to take it as it comes and he's got to make sure he takes care of his health because he's not just got January, he's got the entire year to contest."
Tiley also confirmed that Rafael Nadal was on track to contest the men's draw as he plots his comeback following arthroscopic hip surgery in June.
"Rafa has been training. I follow him closely, probably every day because he's a massive drawcard for us," he said.
"He wants to play, he's obviously planning on playing. It all depends on how he pulls up.
"Hopefully in the next week or the next two weeks, we get some specific confirmation of that.
"But I'm certain Rafa will be here because he's not going to want to miss the opportunity to repeat what he did a couple of years ago and he's running out of time at this stage of his career."
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