Tennis Australia boss Craig Tiley believes Nick Kyrgios ultimately made the “right decision” turning down a wildcard spot at the Australian Open.
The 2022 Wimbledon finalist made the call on Friday, but will still feature in the doubles alongside Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Kyrgios has battled wrist and knee injuries since his career year in 2022 and had not played enough tennis to automatically qualify.
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Nick Kyrgios at the Brisbane International. Getty
The 30-year-old was eliminated in the first round of the Brisbane International in straight sets, and said he wasn’t quite ready for the rigours of five-set tennis.
“After some good conversations with (Tennis Australia), I’ve made the call to focus on doubles at this year’s AO,” Kyrgios wrote on social media 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.
“This tournament means everything to me, but I’d rather give my spot to someone who’s ready to make their moment count.
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“It’s all building blocks and I’ll be back next year and pumped to compete.”
Despite his potential to be one of the headline draws of the tournament, Tiley has backed the Aussie’s decision.
Kokkinakis and Kyrgios in Brisbane. Nine
“We work closely with Nick’s team. It was a decision way before the start of the summer that if he felt ready to play a three out of five set match… and if he felt he wasn’t ready for that then he was going to make the decision not to accept a wildcard,” Tiley said on Monday.
“Right decision, in my view. I watched him play his singles and his doubles and you need to be 100 per cent to go out there and compete and he’s doing the right thing for his body if he’s going to play this year.
“And he’s certainly going to play. He’s going to play doubles with Thanasi and he’ll make a decision about mixed doubles as well.”
Tiley said he would like to see Kyrgios return to the singles draw of the Australian Open before the end of his career.
“I’d love to see him on the singles court and I know he would like to be there, but he’s had a rough go of it with injuries,” he said.
“At some point we’ll see him… in some form.”
Novak Djokovic in action on the court. Getty
Tiley is also confident this will not be the final Australian Open for 10-time winner Novak Djokovic.
The 38-year-old hasn’t won a grand slam since 2023, but seemingly still has plenty of tennis left in him.
“He’ll be here more (than just this year). He’s coming tonight. He’s on the plane as we speak,” Tiley said.
“I look forward to seeing him and his entourage and his team.”
Tiley has been linked to the top job at the United States Tennis Association, but refused to comment on the situation.
“There’s been a lot of speculation, and I’m not going to fuel it either way by making a comment,” he said.
Stan Wawrinka of Switzerland. Getty
Former Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka received a wildcard spot for the tournament, alongside Aussies Jordan Thompson and Chris O’Connoll.
“Winning the Australian Open in 2014, my first grand slam title, is an absolute career highlight for me, so I’m incredibly grateful to receive this wildcard,” 40-year-old Wawrinka said after the news was revealed.
“To have the chance to play the Australian Open at the beginning of my final year on tour means the world to me.”