An ailing Nick Kyrgios has pulled out of his next scheduled ATP event in the hope of playing the European clay-court swing and, ultimately, being fully fit for Wimbledon.
Kyrgios received treatment for a knee issue during his fiery fourth-round loss to Borna Coric at the Miami Masters on Wednesday and says he needs to get on top of the long-standing injury.
The Australian No.2 hopes skipping the ATP event in Houston from April 8 to have further treatment will give him the best chance of being fit for the big European tournaments starting later next month.
"I am really disappointed to have to pull out of Houston this year," Kyrgios tweeted.
"I loved playing the event last year and was looking forward to returning but unfortunately my knee has other ideas.
"I need to rest up, get treatment and actually make sure I can play on the European clay this year after I missed the whole swing in 2018.
"I know the Houston ATP 250 will be great again this year and I plan on returning in 2020."
Kyrgios was sidelined for two months from April to June last year with an elbow injury.
Any similar lay-off in 2019 would leave the former Wimbledon quarter-finalist in grave danger of losing his seeding status for the grass-court grand slam getting underway on July 1.
The 23-year-old has rebuilt his ranking from No.72 to 33rd since winning his fourth career title last month in Acapulco - in which he knocked over Rafael Nadal, Stan Wawrinka, John Isner and Alexander Zverev in successive matches to hoist the trophy.
Kyrgios needs to be ranked in the world's top 32 to be assured of a seeding at Wimbledon, the tournament that undoubtedly offers the mercurial talent the best chance of major glory.
