Injured Kyrgios quits Wimbledon in third round

London - The Australian won the first set 6-2 but dropped the second 6-1 when he called it quits

Nick Kyrgios was forced to retire from his Wimbledon third round match against Canada’s Felix Auger-Aliassime on Saturday with an abdominal injury.

The Australian won the first set 6-2 but dropped the second 6-1 when he called it quits.

“I did my abdomen at the end of the first set,” said the 26-year-old Kyrgios.

“I haven’t played at this level of tennis for a while and my serve is my main weapon. I need that to be firing on all cylinders.”

Earlier Kyrgios thought he was perfectly prepared for his third-round match. Then he realised he left his shoes in the locker room.

The Australian caused a slight delay to his match against Felix Auger-Aliassime because he didn’t have his proper grass-court shoes with him when he stepped onto No. 1 Court.

“I left my tennis shoes in the locker room. Good start,” Kyrgios said with a sheepish grin.

His mishap forced the two players to stand around for a couple of minutes before they could start their warm-up.

“The one day I thought I was being a professional,” Kyrgios joked, pointing out that he had all his rackets and clothes with him. “Walking out here so confidently and then, bang. Left the shoes in the locker room.”

The warm-up could finally start after a Wimbledon employee came running out with Kyrgios’ shoes. — AP/AFP