‘Different beast’: Kyrgios to focus on doubles so another Aussie can get singles wildcard

Nick Kyrgios has made his decision for the 2026 Australian Open: He will stick to playing doubles with championship partner Thanasi Kokkinakis so that another Aussie hopeful — likely Jordan Thompson — can get the wildcard nod instead.

The ever-entertaining Aussie no.670 has been pondering whether to accept a wildcard spot from Tennis Australia since the summer began, with major wrist and knee surgeries over the last three years leaving him fighting for fitness right on the eve of any potential Melbourne Park campaign — and days out from qualifying, he’s made up his mind.

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“After good conversations with [Tennis Australia], I’ve made the call to focus on doubles this year,” Kyrgios posted on Instagram lunchtime Friday. “I’m fit and back, but five-setters are a different beast… 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.”

While some may take this as a sign that Kyrgios was going to miss out on a wildcard, The Sporting Base understands the once-world no.13 had spoken to Tennis Australia earlier in January and had been promised entry. Whether Australian Open tournament boss Craig Tiley, who has final say, had backflipped on that or not is unclear (and unlikely).

The “someone” Kyrgios mentioned is likely Thompson, who has slumped to no.113 after a long injury recovery through the 2025 season. “Thommo” had peaked at 26th in the world in 2024 and has been looking to fight back to near there.

As for Kyrgios, this decision means he’ll join Kokkinakis, with whom he won the Australian Open men’s doubles in 2022, at Melbourne Park once the two-player bracket begins midway through the event. They’ll enter the ’26 battle unseeded, but that’s no different to their title victory; the duo, known as the “Special Ks,” made a deep run as wildcarded players to win.

“It’s all building blocks, and I’ll be back next year and pumped to compete,” Nick added. “See you out there.”

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With Kyrgios out of the four-way battle for the last three wildcard places in the men’s singles bracket at the Australian Open, we now have a clearer picture regarding who’ll be given the ‘skip’: Aussies Thompson and Chris O’Connell should get the nods, as will 2014 AO champion Stan Wawrinka, who’s playing a long goodbye tour right now.

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Other Aussies like James Duckworth, Rinky Hijikata, Talia Gibson, Taylah Preston, Priscilla Hon, and young gun Emerson Jones have already been invited to the top 128. Alongside the three empty men’s spots, there’s one women’s spot to be filled.

The Australian Open main draw starts on Sunday, January 19.