Nick Kyrgios leaves fans gutted with announcement as he reveals he’s desperate to be with his mum during her dire health battle
- The Aussie has pulled out of next month’s Laver Cup to spend time with family
- Kyrgios’ mother Norlaila is battling terminal cancer and failing kidneys
- He also discussed needing to skip for ‘his beautiful girlfriend’, Costeen Hatzi
Gutted Aussie tennis fans have applauded Nick Kyrgios for pulling out of next month’s Laver Cup to spend time at home with his family, with his mother Norlaila still suffering from failing kidneys.
The Canberran is very close with his family – including brother Christos, sister Halimah and father Giorgos – and has previously revealed he didn’t know how long he had left in tennis as he grappled with the desire to spend more time with them.
He announced he would be skipping this year’s Laver Cup on social media to be by their side.
Nick Kyrgios with his mother Nill, who is battling with serious health issues
‘No Laver Cup for me this year!!! Just letting you all know. Gotta have that home time with my family and beautiful girlfriend,’ Kyrgios wrote on his Instagram story.
Kyrgios has previously revealed his mother was battling failing kidneys, while brother Christos also said she has had heart issues in the past.
Norlaila is set to receive a kidney from husband Giorgos, provided the pair are compatible.
Nick Kyrgios announced on social media that he will not be playing in the Laver Cup, which is due to take place in September, this year
At last year’s Laver Cup, Kyrgios admitted there was one thing more important than a long career on the court: family.
‘This is my probably my last Laver Cup. I don’t know how much longer I will be in tennis,’ he said at the time.
‘My mum is not doing too well with her health. I’d like to go back and see her.’
Nick Kyrgios with sister Halimah (left) and mother Norlaila – the Kyrgios clan are very close
The Laver Cup, which pits Team World against Team Europe, was set to feature the so-called ‘Big Four’: Rafael Nadal, Novak Djokovic, Roger Federer and Andy Murray, a salivating prospect for tennis fans.
Kyrgios, who was in career-best form on his wild ride to the Wimbledon final, would have been unmissable, both as an entertainer and valuable presence for Team World.
He is one of just a handful of players to have taken part in all four previous editions of the tournament.
Nick Kyrgios (right) also mentioned his girlfriend Costeen Hatzi (left) as a reason for skipping the Laver Cup
The decision to skip the Laver Cup left many fans shattered on social media – though he was applauded for making the right decision for himself and his family.
‘Gutted he’s not playing this year,’ one wrote, while another commented ‘I respect it. Tour takes him away from Australia for a long time.’
Kyrgios has been in the US since going down to Novak Djokovic in the Wimbledon final.
The Aussie has been playing in the Atlanta Open, and despite pulling out of the singles with a mysterious injury, he continued to play doubles with good mate Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Nick Kyrgios recently won the Atlanta Open doubles title with fellow Aussie Thanai Kokkinakis
The pair won the final against another Aussie duo, Jason Kubler and John Peers, in straight sets.
It comes after their remarkable Grand Slam doubles win at the Australian Open earlier this year.
It was an incredible successful tournament for Australia, with Alex de Minaur taking out the singles title.
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