Controversial Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has endured a disastrous year at major championships in 2017.The 22-year-old was dumped out of the Australian Open in the second round, got no further at Roland Garros, and was then forced to retire due to an injury in the first round at Wimbledon.The US Open represented an opportunity for Kyrgios to possibly salvage what has been a dreadful year in terms of results.His talent is unquestionable, and with the likes of Andy Murray and Novak Djokovic missing from the men's draw, Kyrgios would have been confident of going deep into the second week in New York.Sadly for Kyrgios, injury struck again during his first round match against compatriot John Millman.With the match beautifully set up at one set a piece, Kyrgios started to wince and grasp at his shoulder each time he served.Somehow, Kyrgios managed to hold serve in that particular game, in spite of the very visible pain he was going through, but decided in between games that he needed a little bit of help stretching out the pesky shoulder.Instead of calling for a physio, Kyrgios marched over to a very confused looking ball boy, extended his arm towards him, and requested that he help him stretch.The ball boy willingly took hold of Kyrgios' arm, but looked terribly uncertain as helping players worth millions of dollars stretch out valuable limbs probably was not part of the job description when he signed up.You can watch the incident below.

The ball boy, who had only just completed what can only be described as a rather ungainly throw, acquitted himself well, seeming to do a good enough job for Kyrgios' liking as the Australian was able to soldier on through the pain.

Eventually, however, the injury did take its toll as the number 14 seed slumped to defeat in four sets.

If 2017 wasn't forgettable enough already for the young Aussie, it most certainly is now.

We are still in the process of finding out whether the ball boys throw found its mark on the other side of court!