MELBOURNE, Australia — Nick Kyrgios said he is not fit enough to compete in the singles at the Australian Open but will play doubles with Australian teammate Thanasi Kokkinakis at Melbourne Park.
Kyrgios took part in a so-called “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match against Aryna Sabalenka last month, with local media suggesting he would be awarded one of Tennis Australia’s three remaining wild-card slots.
But he announced on social media on Friday that he would only play doubles in the tournament, which begins on January 18.
Multiple wrist and knee surgeries have limited Kyrgios to just seven singles tour events over the past three years, and his ranking has dropped to No. 670.
The 30-year-old’s most recent singles match lasted just 66 minutes – a 6-3, 6-4 loss to American Alexander Kovacevic at the Brisbane International this week.
Kyrgios, who reached the 2022 Wimbledon final, said his body is not ready for five-set tennis and he hopes wild cards will be awarded to those who can “make their moments count”.
“After a great conversation with my assistant coach, I have decided to focus this year’s AO on doubles,” he wrote in an Instagram post. “I’ve recovered and am back on the court, but five setters are a different beast and I’m not ready to go the full distance.
“This game means everything to me, but I would rather give my place to someone who is ready to make their moments count. These are the building blocks and I will come back next year and compete with energy.”
Stan Wawrinka, 40, the 2014 Australian Open champion, is one of the favorites to receive a wild card. Wawrinka has announced that this year will be his last on tour.
