In a significant blow to local hopes, Australian tennis star Nick Kyrgios has officially withdrawn from the singles competition at the upcoming Australian Open. The polarising talent has made the difficult decision to focus solely on the doubles event as he continues his long road back from a series of debilitating injuries.
A Pragmatic Decision for Long-Term Health
While not formally entered into the singles draw, Kyrgios had been holding out hope for one of Tennis Australia's coveted wildcards. However, after discussions with tournament officials, he concluded that the physical demands of best-of-five-set matches are beyond his current capabilities. "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," Kyrgios explained in a social media post.
The 30-year-old's past three years have been ravaged by physical setbacks, limiting him to just seven tour-level singles matches. Multiple surgeries on his wrist and knee have seen his world ranking plummet to a lowly 670. His most recent outing was a straight-sets loss to American Aleksandar Kovacevic at the Brisbane International, a match that lasted a mere 66 minutes.
Chasing Past Glory in Doubles Partnership
Despite the singles withdrawal, fans will still see Kyrgios in action at Melbourne Park. He is confirmed to team up with his close friend and compatriot, Thanasi Kokkinakis, in the doubles tournament. The pair, famously nicknamed the "Special Ks," will look to recapture the magic that propelled them to an emotional and wildly popular doubles title at the Australian Open in 2022.
Kyrgios framed his decision as a selfless one, aimed at giving another player an opportunity. "This tournament means everything to me but I'd rather give my spot to someone who's ready to make their moment count," he stated. He had previously vowed to attempt to qualify if denied a wildcard, but has now ruled out that path entirely for this year's event.
Reality Check After Surgical Ordeals
The Canberra native offered a poignant reflection on the mental toll of his injuries, conceding he may never return to the peak form that saw him reach the 2022 Wimbledon final. "I genuinely thought I was the best player in the world," he said of that career-high run. "After you have those surgeries, I guess they pull you down and you don't have that belief anymore. It's sad in a way."
He emphasised the harsh reality of professional sport, noting that returning from major surgery is never a simple process. Kyrgios expressed gratitude for being able to compete at all, highlighting his recent doubles appearance as a moment to cherish during his rebuilding phase.
His withdrawal opens up a wildcard opportunity for another player. With only three men's singles wildcards remaining, speculation is mounting that one will go to Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka. The 40-year-old, a former Australian Open champion in 2014, has announced this will be his final season on tour, making a farewell appearance at Melbourne Park a likely and popular decision by organisers.
Kyrgios ended his announcement on an optimistic note for his fans, signalling his intent to return. "It's all building blocks and I'll be back next year and pumped to compete," he promised, setting his sights on a full singles comeback in 2025.
