Kyrgios plays down injury concern ahead of Aus Open

Omnisports

January 13, 2016 5:25 AM

Australian Nick Kyrgios is certain he will be fit for the Australian Open despite an Achilles scare on Wednesday.

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The 20-year-old retired from his match against David Goffin at the Kooyong Classic when trailing 3-2 in the second set, having won the first 7-6 (7-5).

In soaring heat in Melbourne, Kyrgios had required a medical timeout in the first set for an injury he said he suffered during practice a day earlier.

But the world number 30 said he had no doubt over his fitness ahead of the year's first grand slam, which starts at Melbourne Park on Monday.

"I'm 100 per cent certain I'm going to be OK," Kyrgios told Channel Seven.

"I've got a couple of days now just to manage my load a bit better.

"I'm going to do a lot of treatment, my physio comes tomorrow so I'm not worried at all at this stage, just got to be smart about it."

Kyrgios described the injury as "very minor", but it was nonetheless a worry for the two-time grand slam quarter-finalist.

He said it had caused him some discomfort during the clash against Goffin.

"It didn't really get worse," Kyrgios said.

"At the same time, I could definitely feel it. I wanted to play enough tennis for David to get his preparation in order. I didn't want to just go out there and pull the pin.

"I thought there was enough tennis played. I didn't want to go too hard and ruin my preparation."

Omnisports