Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from the Terra Wortmann Open in Halle due to an ongoing issue with his left knee.

The 28-year-old Australian made his comeback to the ATP Tour in Stuttgart last week after he had surgery to repair a small tear in his left lateral meniscus in January. He complained of inhibited movement caused by his knee during his first-round defeat to Wu Yibing, however, and the problem has now forced Kyrgios’ withdrawal from the ATP 500 in Halle.

“Very unfortunate news that I won’t be able to compete at Halle this year. Still dealing with a couple of things in my knee, just trying to give myself the best opportunity to compete at Wimbledon,” Kyrgios said in a video posted by the tournament. “As you all know, that tournament means a lot to me and I just want to do everything right by my body. I didn’t want to go out there and not give you the same performance I gave last year. So hopefully next year I’ll be healthy enough to play, see you soon.”

Unfortunately Nick Kyrgios (left knee) withdraws from singles. Get well soon Nick!
He is replaced by Aslan Karatsev. (Lucky Loser) #TWO23 #TerraWortmannOpen #Tennis #ATP #ATP500 #ATPTour #HalleWestfalen 📸TERRA WORTMANN OPEN/HalleWestfalen pic.twitter.com/4bw5iFxO8p

— TERRA WORTMANN OPEN (@ATPHalle) June 19, 2023

Kyrgios enjoyed the best season of his career in 2022, when he racked up a 37-10 record, including a Tour-leading 12 wins on grass. That tally included his run to a maiden major final at Wimbledon.

Kyrgios’ place in the Halle draw has been taken by Aslan Karatsev. The lucky loser, who reached his maiden ATP Masters 1000 semi-final as a qualifier in May in Madrid, will take on Lorenzo Sonego in the first round in Germany.