Whether Kyrgios made the final call on AO wildcard or not, the right call was made

(Getty/William West)

Ah, yes, it's that time of the year when Australian Open wildcards are passionately debated at length.

'Why has this player been offered a wildcard?' 'Why has that player been overlooked?'

They are often questions asked by the Australian tennis public, which actually opens the door for healthy discussion.

Unlike Thanasi Kokkinakis, who has activated his protected ranking to compete in the 2026 Australian Open main draw, Nick Kyrgios could no longer rely on that precious safety blanket, with his injury-protected ranking of No.21 having expired in November.

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Nine days out from the commencement of Day 1 at Melbourne Park, the question everyone was asking finally had an answer.

"After some good conversations with TA, I've made the call to focus on doubles for this year's AO," Kyrgios wrote on his Instagram story.

"I'm fit and back on court, but 5-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 ready to make their moment count.

"It's all building blocks, and I'll be back next year and pumped to compete."

Before his Brisbane International campaign kicked off this week, the 30-year-old told the media that he wouldn't intend to be selfish when asked about his chances of securing an Australian Open main draw wildcard.

"I don't want to be that player that takes opportunities away from young people that have been really working towards this moment of having a wildcard," he said.

"[John] Millman gave his wildcard up for me at the French Open (2013) when he was injured, and he wasn't feeling 100 per cent, and that's where everything kicked off for me, my whole career. Basically, after that moment, I became a different player mentality-wise, and physically, I learned so much."

As is the case when it comes to Kyrgios, his 2026 AO singles announcement was met with both plaudits and criticism.

On one hand, there were those on social media who credited the former Wimbledon finalist for stepping back and acknowledging that he simply wasn't ready. On the other hand, there were assumptions that Tennis Australia officials made the final decision.

Although we will never fully know what transpired behind the scenes, whoever made the final call made the most sensible call.

Let's not lose sight of the fact that the former world No.13, now ranked No.670, had featured in just nine competitive singles matches since his quarter-final exit at the 2022 US Open.

No longer in his 20s, everyone is aware that Kyrgios' best days are behind him, yet there always seems to be a small glimmer of hope that he can still produce as the 'showman'.

He finally returned to the court last month after a 10-month hiatus, albeit in a controversial exhibition against world No.1 Aryna Sabalenka, where he looked off the pace and unfit.

Kyrgios won the match, but not the wildcard audition.

Then a straight sets loss to Aleksandar Kovacevic at the first round in Brisbane piled extra heat on Tennis Australia as to whether automatic entry was warranted.

"I had a wrist reconstruction and two knee ops. I'm never going to be [the same player]. I think it's unfair," he said post-match.

"I use Thanasi as an example, or myself as an example, or Del Potro, or Thiem or Nishikori, we look at some of these people that were at the top of their game competing for Grand Slams, and then you have parts of your body that just fail and can't take the load of being at that top level. That's what happens."

He added that his defeat was a "stepping stone" in his quest to return to full fitness ahead of a potential AO wildcard, but as we now know, that is out of the equation.

On the same day as Kyrgios' announcement, Tennis Australia revealed the last three remaining wildcards belong to Jordan Thompson, Christopher O'Connell, and former champion Stan Wawrinka.

Even a player like Dane Sweeny, who has risen to world no.182 in the live rankings, having worked tirelessly hard on the ITF and Challenger circuits, would've felt hard done by if Kyrgios received a wildcard before him.

Make no mistake, this is a decision that will sting Tennis Australia, because at the end of the day, Kyrgios puts bums on seats, sells tickets, creates electric atmospheres and is the most marketable face in Australian tennis (yes, even ahead of Alex de Minaur), because chaos and controversy sell.

That is the very reason why the decision came down to the wire, and despite confirmation taking as long as it did, it was ultimately the correct outcome for all parties when it comes to integrity.

In saying that, Tennis Australia will have the chance to promote the 'Special K's' when Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, who combined to win the 2022 Australian Open doubles title, pair up once again to deliver a grand spectacle.

For now though, smart decisions such as this one will determine whether Kyrgios can ever return to the Australian Open singles draw.

The Kooyong Classic returns to the spiritual home of Australian tennis from January 13-15, 2026.

Each year, the Kooyong Classic features the world’s best players in their final preparation for the Australian Open. 

The 2026 event will feature Lorenzo Musetti, Alexander Bublik, Nick Kyrgios, Karen Khachanov, Flavio Cobolli, Frances Tiafoe, Learner Tien, Matteo Berrettini, Hubert Hurkacz, Marin Čilić and Zhang Zhizhen, alongside Donna Vekić and a special guest appearance Daniela Hantuchová. More to be announced soon.

Tickets on sale now through Ticketek/www.kooyongclassic.com.au

Hospitality packages can be viewed on the Kooyong Classic website and purchased by contacting info@kooyongclassic.com.au.