Nick Kyrgios Drops Australian Open Bombshell: Why He’s Skipping Singles

Let’s be honest: it just wouldn’t be January in Melbourne without the annual Nick Kyrgios circus rolling into town. Whether he’s smashing rackets, engaging in Twitter wars with retired legends, or producing moments of absolute magic on the court, the man is incapable of being boring. But this year, the drama has taken a bit of a somber, perhaps even mature, turn.

After weeks of posturing, demanding respect, and insisting he deserved a wildcard, Kyrgios has officially pulled the plug on his singles campaign for the Australian Open.

If you’ve been following the soap opera that is Nick’s career lately, this feels like a plot twist we all saw coming, even if Nick himself refused to read the script until the very last second. He’s swapping the grueling marathon of best-of-five singles matches for the party atmosphere of the doubles court.

The Reality Check Down Under

Just last week, Kyrgios was in full defensive mode. When observers—and let’s face it, pretty much anyone with eyes—suggested he wasn’t fit enough for a Grand Slam, Nick fired back. He wanted that wildcard. He felt entitled to it.

But reality has a funny way of hitting you in the face, usually right after a first-round exit. After looking sluggish in an exhibition match against Aryna Sabalenka (the so-called “Battle of the Sexes”) and then crashing out of the Brisbane International against Aleksander Kovacevic, the writing was on the wall.

Nick took to Instagram to break the news, stating, “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.”

Translation? The cardio isn’t there. It’s a rare moment of vulnerability from a guy who usually projects bulletproof confidence. He admitted that rather than hogging a spot and retiring in the second set because his legs gave out, he’d rather “give my spot to someone who’s ready to make their moment count.” Honestly? Respect. It takes guts to admit you aren’t the main character for once.

The Critics Were… Right?

This is the part that probably stings the most for Kyrgios. Former pros like Greg Rusedski and Pat Cash were publicly skeptical about his return. Rusedski noted on his podcast that Nick simply hadn’t shown the form to justify a “free ticket” into the main draw. He argued Nick needed to go deep in Brisbane to prove he could hang. He didn’t.

Pat Cash went a step further, telling Tennis365 that unless Kyrgios came back “absolutely ripped,” there were no excuses. Cash pointed out that the locker room talks. If players see you winded, they know they just have to outlast you. And right now, outlasting Nick doesn’t look like the hardest task in tennis.

At the time, Kyrgios blasted these takes. Now, his withdrawal is a tacit admission that the “old guard” actually knew what they were talking about.

The Special Ks Reunion Tour

It’s not all doom and gloom, though. While we won’t see Nick attempting a singles run, he isn’t leaving Melbourne empty-handed. He’s confirmed he will focus entirely on doubles, reteaming with his best mate Thanasi Kokkinakis.

This is arguably the better outcome for fans anyway. The “Special Ks” run to the title in 2022 was electric. It was chaotic, loud, and incredibly fun—everything Kyrgios is good at without the physical torture of a four-hour singles grind.

Focusing on doubles allows him to protect his body—which has been through the wringer with knee and wrist surgeries—while still getting that “box office” paycheck he’s been open about wanting. In a press conference recently, he admitted his motivation is to “make as much money as possible.” Well, doubles prize money isn’t singles money, but it’s better than a first-round exit fee.

Is Time Running Out for Kyrgios?

There is a sadness to this, though. Kyrgios has played barely any professional tennis since his standout 2022 season where he made the Wimbledon final. We are watching the prime years of one of the most talented ball-strikers in history evaporate into a haze of rehab and exhibitions.

He says, “I’ll be back next year and pumped to compete.” We hope so. But in the brutal world of pro tennis, three years on the sidelines is a lifetime. For now, we’ll have to settle for the doubles show. It’ll be entertaining, sure. But it feels like we’re watching a superstar transition into a side act.