Aussie tennis firebrand Nick Kyrgios has withdrawn from attempting to play singles at the Australian Open later this month.

He posted to social media on Friday to announce “I’ve made the call to focus on doubles” and “I’m not quite ready to go the distance” in a five-set singles match.

Kyrgios had been hoping to earn a wildcard from Tennis Australia given his ranking and recent results did not qualify him for the year’s first major.

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The governing body had so far overlooked the 30-year-old for a wildcard.

Kyrgios lost the first round of the Brisbane International earlier this week and has barely played competitive tennis in three years.

He enjoyed a career season in 2022 when he made the final at Wimbledon and lost to Novak Djokovic.

Nick Kyrgios grabs at his arm during the Brisbane International. Getty

But various injuries to his wrist and knees have cruelled him since.

“After some good conversations with (Tennis Australia), I’ve made the call to focus on doubles at this year’s AO,” he wrote on Friday.

“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.

The Aussie tennis summer kicks off with the 2026 United Cup from Friday, January 2. Watch it live and free on Nine and 9Now.

“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.”

Kyrgios plans to play men’s doubles alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open, where they won the title in 2022.

Dubbed the Special Ks, the pair teamed up together for the Brisbane International but were bundled out in the round of 16.

At the 2023 Australian Open, Kyrgios withdrew on the eve of the tournament. The following year he sat it out following wrist surgery.

Last year Kyrgios made it into the Open singles draw thanks to a protected ranking, but he lost his first match in straight sets.

Last month Aussie tennis great Mark Philippoussis explained why giving Kyrgios a wildcard would be a risk.

“I see the upside as far as the eyes being on him there,” Philippoussis told ABC.

“If he can go on and play 100 per cent and loses, that’s OK. If he’s able to compete … and feel good and he loses, that’s no problem at all.

After a career-best year, Queenslander Priscilla Hon was among four Australian Open wildcards named on Monday, but Nick Kyrgios was not among them.

“But if he goes out there and can’t perform but brings in the crowd for a couple of hours, is that enough? It’s tough. I see both sides. I see the upside but also the downside as well.

“You get a wildcard at a tournament and you don’t produce because physically you break down, it doesn’t look good. It’s not good for the tournament, it’s certainly not good for the player, so everything is a balancing act.”