(Melbourne) Nick Kyrgios announced his withdrawal from the Australian Open in January on Saturday, a decision that “breaks his heart” as he continues to fight to return to form after a long absence due to injury.

The whimsical Australian had knee surgery in January, then gave up on returning to Wimbledon after tearing a ligament in his wrist.

He said last month that “the stars would have to align” for him to be ready for his domestic Grand Slam in January 2024, and the former world number 13 confirmed on Saturday that he had failed in that race against time.

“This is a very disappointing moment for me, but I will not be able to participate in the 2024 Australian Open,” Kyrgios said on subscription site OnlyFans, which he joined as a content creator last week .

“Obviously it breaks my heart. I had so many amazing memories there, and I just want to get back to the top of my game and do things right, and I need a little more time,” he stressed.

“Even though I won’t be competing this year, I will still be present, I will comment on the matches, I will be there,” the 28-year-old added.

Last month, Kyrgios said winning a Grand Slam remained his biggest motivation, after coming close at Wimbledon in 2022, when he lost in the final to Serbian Novak Djokovic.

The Australian Open will take place from January 14 to 28 in Melbourne. Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka will defend the women’s title and Djokovic the men’s title.

While Kyrgios will be missing, Spaniard Rafael Nadal, winner of 22 Grand Slam tournaments, who has not played since the 2023 Australian Open due to injury, is on the list of participants.

The same goes for Japan’s Naomi Osaka, a four-time Grand Slam winner, who gave birth to her daughter Shai in July.

She has not played since September 2022, due to mental health issues.