Nick Kyrgios pulled out injured from the Australian Open on Saturday without hitting the ball, saying he was “devastated” to miss his first Grand Slam.
The Australian, considered an outside chance to win the title, has struggled with an ankle problem that has plagued the event.
But knee discomfort forced him out, a day before he was due to face Russia’s Roman Safiullin in the first round.
Kyrgios also plans to defend his doubles title alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Kyrgios is out of the front of the Slam
“I’m hurt, obviously,” he said at a hastily arranged press conference at Melbourne Park.
“I’ve had a few big tournaments here, won the doubles last year and played the tennis of my life, I’ll definitely be going to this event.
“It’s pretty rough, one of the most important tournaments of my year and it’s not easy,” he said.
“There’s a mix of emotions … it’s just a bad time, but this is life. Injuries are part of sport.
His physio Will Maher said scans showed the cyst was the result of a small tear in the lateral meniscus, but not a career-threatening injury.
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Team Kyrgios used his charity match against Novak Djokovic on Friday to test his injured knee and the Australian “didn’t pull it up”.
On Saturday, the 27-year-old said his hopes of advancing to this year’s opening Grand Slam had become stressful and difficult to focus on.
But the divisive Australian also said he was humbled in a position where people considered him in with a real shot at winning the first Grand Slam.
While his frequent tantrums have long overshadowed his talent, Kyrgios has been a star in 2022, making a barnstorming run to his first Grand Slam singles final at Wimbledon, before losing to Djokovic.