Nick Kyrgios Issues Sad Statement With Australian Open Just Days Away

Nick Kyrgios has released a statement ahead of the 2026 Australian Open.

Kyrgios, 30, has been dealing with several injury issues since reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022, which he lost to Novak Djokovic in four sets.

In recent years, the Australian has dropped out of the top 500 due to his injury woes.

Recently, Kyrgios beat Aryna Sabalenka in a Battle of the Sexes clash in Dubai, and continued his preparation for the 2026 season at the Brisbane International.

However, he was beaten 6-3, 6-4 by Aleksandar Kovacevic.

Currently ranked 670 in the world, Kyrgios had hoped for a late wildcard into the Australian Open; otherwise, he would have had to go through qualifying, which starts next week.

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Nick Kyrgios was beaten at the Brisbane Interntional. Image: Getty

However, taking to social media, the 30-year-old announced that he will not take part in the singles event.

Kyrgios wrote: "After some good conversations with (Tennis Australia), I've made the call to focus on doubles at this year's AO. 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 tournament means everything to me, but I'd rather give my spot to someone who's ready to make their moment count. It's all building blocks and I'll be back next year and pumped to compete."

Instead, Kyrgios is set to play doubles alongside fellow Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis.

The pair, labelled as 'Special Ks' by the locals, won the Australian Open doubles title in 2022 and will be looking to embark on another fairytale run in a couple of weeks' time.

Nick Kyrgios is set to play doubles with Thanasi Kokkinakis. Image: Getty

At the Brisbane International, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis got the better of Matthew Ebden and Rajeev Ram 5-7, 6-4, 10-8 before losing in the second round to Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul.

On Friday morning, it was announced that 2014 Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka had been handed a wildcard for the tournament. The Swiss is set to play in Melbourne for the last time before retiring at the end of the season.