Nick Kyrgios has been handed a nightmare draw in Indian Wells as he prepares to play his first match in almost two months. The Australian received a wildcard into the Masters 1000 event. If he makes it to round two, he will face Novak Djokovic in a blockbuster showdown.
But the former Wimbledon finalist will have a tough task if he wants to get through the first round, as he has been drawn to face Botic van de Zandschulp. The world No. 85 might be a lucky loser but he’s a dangerous opponent who previously upset Carlos Alcaraz and Rafael Nadal.
Kyrgios is still seeking his first singles win of the season. The Aussie returned from a long injury layoff in January but lost in the first round of the Brisbane International and the Australian Open.
Now ranked at No. 1099 in the world, he received a wildcard into the main draw of Indian Wells. And when the draw was made on Monday, all eyes went to Kyrgios’ section.
The 29-year-old drew a qualifier or lucky loser in the first round, with the winner set to meet Djokovic in round two. If Kyrgios makes it through, it will be a rematch of the 2022 Wimbledon final.
Kyrgios and Djokovic have a strong relationship, the pair played doubles together in Brisbane earlier this year. But they could be denied the chance to face off on opposite sides of the net, as the Aussie has been given a brutal first opponent in Van de Zandschulp.
The world No. 85 got into the main draw as a lucky loser following some withdrawals and was placed to face Kyrgios in round one. Van de Zandschulp is something of a giant killer, racking up some big wins in recent months.
In September, the Dutchman stunned Alcaraz in the second round of the US Open, handing the Spaniard his earliest loss at a Grand Slam tournament in more than three years.
Van de Zandschulp also beat Nadal in the 22-time Major winner’s last-ever match at the Davis Cup Finals in November. And he has wins over top-10 players like Taylor Fritz and Andrey Rublev.
The lucky loser has never played Kyrgios but he will fancy his chances against the former world No. 13, who has barely played in the last two years due to knee and wrist injuries.
Kyrgios also sparked concern during an on-site practice session on Tuesday when he was seen nursing his wrist. He quickly left the court.
The 29-year-old underwent surgery on his right wrist over a year ago and it took months of rehabilitation before Kyrgios was ready to compete again.
He also complained of a “throbbing” pain in his wrist after making his comeback against Giovanni Mpetshi Perricard in Brisbane earlier this year.
