Nick Kyrgios has admitted he’s ineligible to play singles on the Australian Open and has been faraway from the wild card pool.
The participant, who drew a house crowd, was advised he may obtain one of many three remaining wildcards from Tennis Australia. Nonetheless, on Friday he introduced on social media that he would solely play doubles with nice ally Thanasi Kokkinakis at Melbourne Park because the match begins on January 18.
A number of wrist and knee surgical procedures have restricted Kyrgios to simply seven singles tour matches over the previous three years, and his rating has plummeted to No. 670.
The 30-year-old’s most up-to-date singles match lasted simply 66 minutes, dropping 6-3, 6-4 to American Aleksandar Kovacevic on the Brisbane Worldwide earlier this week.
Kyrgios, who reached the 2022 Wimbledon closing, stated his physique was not but able to play 5 units of tennis and stated he wished the wild card to go to a participant who may “cherish the second”.
“After an excellent dialog with TA, we now have determined to concentrate on doubles for this yr’s AO,” he wrote on his Instagram Story. “I am feeling good and I am again on the courtroom, however the 5 setters are in a unique league and are not able to go lengthy distances but.
“This match means every thing to me, however I might slightly give my spot to somebody who is able to cherish each second.
“All of it builds up and I’m going to be excited to come back again and compete subsequent yr.”
Former champion Stan Wawrinka, 40, appears to be like virtually sure to get one of many wildcards. Wawrinka has already introduced that this yr shall be his closing season on tour, giving followers in Melbourne an opportunity to say goodbye to the 2014 Australian Open champion.
Wawrinka confirmed he nonetheless has loads of combat left in him with a three-set victory over world No. 27 Arthur Rinderknecke on the United Cup final weekend.
Jordan Thompson, who has fallen to 113th on the earth on account of harm issues within the 2025 season, and fellow Australian Chris O’Connell (114th) additionally deserve the award.
