Nick Kyrgios sets tongues wagging with VERY racy nightclub photo with girlfriend Costeen Hatzi in Los Angeles: 'Keep it PG, guys'

Nick Kyrgios has got tennis fans talking once again after posting an intimate photo with girlfriend Costeen Hatzi on Instagram.

The Australian tennis star's playing future remains unclear as he works his way back to full fitness, but he isn't letting his injury woes get him down - if his latest post on social media is anything to go by.

Kyrgios, 28, shared a snap of himself licking Hatzi's neck during a night out at a Los Angeles nightclub, although his good mate and fellow tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis suggested the overt romantic act was a bit much. 

'Keep it pg pls,' he commented on the post. 

A tennis Twitter account posted a screenshot of the image alongside a photo of a GOAT with its tongue out. 

'Closest Nick Kyrgios is going to get to being the GOAT in tennis,' read the caption. 

Alongside the photo, Kyrgios posted the caption: 'And what? Love is a crazy thing? Lol we all try to find it don't lie.' 

Hatzi also wrote: 'I'm dying at this. I love you'. 

Elsewhere, Australian Open boss Craig Tiley has significantly softened his language on Kyrgios' likely availability for the tournament, casting doubt over whether the star will take the court in January.

Tiley said last month he 'fully expected' Kyrgios to play in January but told reporters on Thursday the 28-year-old would need to consider what was best for his health with the full 2024 season ahead of him.

Kyrgios only managed a single match in 2023 after withdrawing from all four grand slams due to a lingering knee injury and a torn ligament in his wrist ahead of Wimbledon.

His world ranking has slid out to 192, with Tiley suggesting the explosive star would be granted a wildcard if he was fit to play.

'We have spoken to Nick, and he obviously wants to do the best he possibly can to give him the best chance to play in January ... Nick's position will be determined closer to the event,' Tiley said.

'I think whatever gets him the best chance to progress during the year ... we have wildcard exchanges with the French and Wimbledon, so there's an opportunity to really help an Australian player not just have one tournament to go into but several, so we'll weigh that all up to make a decision - we've got wildcards to do that.

'Whether he's playing, whether he's doing something else, Nick will be here in January and to get him to play will be great, but we've got to take it as it comes and he's got to take care of his health ... because he's not just got January, he's got the entire year (ahead) too.'