Nick Kyrgios claims 'misunderstanding' after media banned from practice session
Updated . First published
Media were kicked out of a Nick Kyrgios' practice session on Friday morning by Australian Open officials, but the man himself has claimed it was the result of a "misunderstanding".
Journalists and photographers were eager to catch a glimpse of his training session as he races to recover from a fresh low-level abdominal strain suffered in his three-set loss to Frenchman Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard at the Brisbane International last week.
An earlier invitation for media to attend the session was rescinded only minutes before it was scheduled to begin.
READ MORE: Barty-like Aussie teen who has opponents running 'scared'
READ MORE: 'No pressure' for Tsitsipas after rankings slide, surprise split
READ MORE: Djokovic 'poisoned' while in Melbourne detention
However, given it was due to take place on the publicly-accessible Court 3 at Melbourne Park, several journalists and photographers attended anyway and sat in the stands with fans.
Photographers and media were reportedly kicked out of a Nick Kyrgios practice session on Friday morning. Getty
They were then reportedly asked to leave by Australian Open officials. The images in this article were taken during that practice session.
Kyrgios earlier claimed he was "nearing 100 per cent to play", but suggested the injury was far from healed. He suggested he could even take painkillers in a bid to "try to tough it out".
In an official press conference after the training session, Kyrgios said media weren't supposed to be blocked.
"The media loves me for some reason, I'm not too sure why (but) I'm not surprised I saw cameras there," he said.
Watch the Australian Open live & free on the 9Network & 9Now. Stan Sport is the only place to watch every match ad-free, live & on demand with centre court in 4K.
Kyrgios playing a backhand during the practice session. Getty
"It wasn't supposed to be a closed session – I think there's been a misunderstanding. I didn't mind seeing cameras there – it's good, it creates more of an atmosphere and a vibe."
The session was the first of two scheduled for Friday. He said the second would be an open session.
In a separate interview, Kyrgios said he was aware this could be his final chance to play in his home slam, but conceded his body isn't where it needs to be.
"I would probably say I'm nearing probably 100 per cent to play. I can take a lot of painkillers and I can try to tough it out, even though it's probably not the smartest thing to do," he said per The Sydney Morning Herald.
"Look, as I've said, this could be my last Australian Open. It's not like I'm announcing my retirement, but I don't know how many times I'm going to be able to come back here and be a part of this amazing event. It's one of the best events we have as tennis players.
"So, I'm not going to take it for granted, I'll do everything I absolutely can to get out there. You know, I was at the top of the game, and top of my game, when I got injured, so I definitely miss going out there and winning, for sure."
Kyrgios revealed he isn't serving during practice sessions to give his body the best chance to recover.
"Look it's a day by day kind of process with where I'm at physically," Kyrgios said.
"I feel super excited, obviously [the] draw just came out, I have that anxiety, the nerves, I think that's what I missed. If I didn't feel any of that, I probably would have stopped playing. Had a good hit today, still got three days before the tournament kicks off.
"My body feels good. Good enough to stay in the draw and hopefully compete. But look, I'm doing everything I can ... I didn't serve today ... I just do whatever the physio says, whatever the doctors kind of tell me to do, just to give it time to heal, and do whatever I can to get out there."
Kyrgios will play Brit Jacob Fearnley in the first round, which begins on Sunday.
