Nick Kyrgios faces another injury setback in his planned return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open after an abdominal strain forced him to withdraw from an exhibition with Novak Djokovic this week.

Britain’s Jacob Fearnley was handed a blockbuster Australian Open debut against Nick Kyrgios. Scot Fearnley was still at college in the United States during last year’s tournament but has rocketed up to 86 in the world after a stunning start to his professional tennis career, which included taking a set off Novak Djokovic at Wimbledon.

Nick Kyrgios has been unexpectedly included in Australia's team for its Davis Cup clash against Sweden at the end of the month.

The former world No.13 is scheduled to face world No.2 Alex Zverev in the third round but he must first beat Edinburgh’s world No.83 Fearnley. “He took Novak (Djokovic) to four sets at Wimbledon so he’s definitely dangerous and I’ve got a big target on my back,” Kyrgios said.

Jacob Fearnley was ranked outside the world’s top 600 last year but has qualified for the Australian Open for the first time

British No.1 Jack Draper, who reached the US Open semi-final, opens this campaign against Argentine world No.46 Mariano Navone. Cam Norrie faces former Wimbledon finalist Matteo Berrettini. The 10-time champion Djokovic is in the same section of the draw as Carlos Alcaraz with the two Olympic finalists scheduled to meet in the last eight.

Nick Kyrgios says he is doing all he can to be fit for the Australian Open after withdrawing from an exhibition match with an abdominal strain.

Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from an exhibition event with Novak Djokovic scheduled for Thursday due to an abdominal strain, casting more doubt on the former Wimbledon finalist's chances of making his Australian Open comeback this month.

Nick Kyrgios is in a race to be fit for the Australian Open after suffering an abdominal strain, forcing him to pull out of a match against Novak Djokovic