Canberra's tennis maverick, Nick Kyrgios, has made a significant and difficult decision regarding his home Grand Slam, opting to withdraw from the Australian Open men's singles competition.
The Decision: Focusing on Doubles in 2026
Following discussions with Tennis Australia, Kyrgios has decided against accepting a wildcard entry into the main singles draw. Instead, the 30-year-old will channel his competitive efforts into the men's doubles, where he will reunite with his successful partner, Thanasi Kokkinakis. The pair famously clinched the Australian Open doubles title together in 2022, a victory that preceded a challenging period of injuries for Kyrgios.
The announcement comes after a first-round exit in both singles and doubles at the Brisbane International this week. Kyrgios was defeated in straight sets by American Aleksandar Kovacevic in the singles, and he and Kokkinakis also bowed out early in the doubles event.
Recovery and Readiness: Not Yet a 'Beast' for Best-of-Five
In a statement posted on his Instagram, Kyrgios explained his reasoning, emphasising that while he is back on court and fit, the physical demands of Grand Slam singles remain a hurdle. "After some good conversations with TA I've made the call to focus on doubles for this year's AO," he wrote. "I'm fit and back on court, but five setters are a different beast, and I'm not quite ready to go the distance yet."
This cautious approach stems from a series of persistent wrist and knee injuries that have plagued the talented player in recent seasons, significantly limiting his tournament appearances. Kyrgios expressed deep respect for the Melbourne tournament, stating, "This tournament means everything to me, but I'd rather give my spot to someone who's ready to make their moment count." He confidently added that this decision is part of his long-term plan, vowing, "It's all building blocks, and I'll be back next year and pumped to compete."
What's Next for Kyrgios and the Open
Fans will still get a chance to see Kyrgios in action locally before the Grand Slam begins. He is scheduled to appear at the Canberra International at Lyneham on Friday afternoon, where he will participate in the AO 1 Point Slam event.
The Australian Open is set to commence at Melbourne Park on January 18, 2026. Kyrgios's withdrawal opens up one of the coveted wildcard positions, which will now be awarded to another aspiring Australian or international player. His focus will now be entirely on recreating the magic with Kokkinakis in the doubles arena, where the best-of-three-sets format presents a more manageable physical challenge at this stage of his comeback.
