Nick Kyrgios Risks Losing Australian Open Wildcard After Bizarre Dubai Exhibition
Let’s be real for a second: we all want the Nick Kyrgios comeback story to be good. The tennis world is just infinitely more entertaining when he’s on the court, smashing rackets, arguing with umpires, and occasionally pulling off the most insane shots you’ve ever seen. But after watching his return to the court in Dubai this past Sunday, the dream of a triumphant return at the Australian Open feels like it just hit a massive lag spike.
Kyrgios stepped back into the spotlight for a “Battle of the Sexes” exhibition match against WTA World No. 1 Aryna Sabalenka. On paper, this was supposed to be the hype event of the pre-season—a chance for the Australian showman to prove he’s still got the magic after a grueling nine-month absence and a ranking that has plummeted to 671st in the world. And sure, if you just look at the scoreboard, he did his job. Kyrgios defeated Sabalenka 6-3, 6-3.
But if you actually watched the match? It was… weird. And not the “good” kind of Kyrgios weird.
The “Battle of the Sexes” Felt More Like a Glitch
The event was billed as a spectacle, harking back to the historic 1973 clash, but the vibe in the United Arab Emirates was decidedly hollow. It felt less like a competitive sporting event and more like a commercially driven DLC that nobody asked for. The intensity was non-existent. It was soulless. Viewers complained about the “cringe” TV coverage, the weird court aesthetics, and the fact that the players looked like they were going through the motions.
For Kyrgios, this was a massive missed opportunity. We didn’t need to see him win a gimmick match; we needed to see him move. We needed to see that explosive athleticism that took him to the Wimbledon final in 2022. Instead, we got a version of Kyrgios that looked physically uncomfortable. He was stiff. He lacked that kinetic energy that usually defines his game.
Winning a casual exhibition against Sabalenka is one thing; surviving a five-set grinder in the scorching Melbourne heat is an entirely different beast, and right now, Kyrgios doesn’t look like he has the HP for it.
Is Kyrgios Actually Ready for a Grand Slam?
The critics aren’t staying silent, either. Mark Philippoussis, a guy who knows a thing or two about big serves and Australian tennis pressure, didn’t mince words. He questioned whether Kyrgios is even taking this comeback seriously. It’s a fair point. If you’re gunning for a wildcard into your home Grand Slam, showing up to an exhibition looking half-speed isn’t exactly the best way to convince the organizers you deserve a spot over a hungry up-and-comer.
Greg Rusedski doubled down on that sentiment, explicitly stating he wouldn’t give Kyrgios the wildcard based on what he saw in Dubai. “He doesn’t look in the right shape to play,” Rusedski noted, pointing out that wildcards are precious commodities that shouldn’t be wasted on a player who might not physically last three sets, let alone five.
And that’s the harsh reality here. The physical demands of the ATP Tour haven’t changed just because Kyrgios took a break. He’s barely played in two years—one match in 2023, one in 2024. Rust is expected, but this looked like more than rust. It looked like a lack of conditioning.
The Wildcard Race is getting Crowded
To make matters more complicated for Kyrgios, the slots for the Australian Open are filling up fast. We’ve already seen James Duckworth and Rinky Hijikata lock in their spots. There are other names in the mix, like Yunchaokete Bu and Patrick Kypson.
Then there’s the emotional factor: Stan Wawrinka. The 2014 champ is looking to retire in 2026, and you better believe the organizers will want to give “Stan the Man” a proper send-off on Australian soil. If it comes down to a choice between a retiring legend who will give his all, and a wild card (literally) like Kyrgios, who might tank if his knee hurts in the third game, who do you choose?
The Brisbane International is the Final Boss
All hope isn’t lost yet, but the margin for error is basically zero. Kyrgios has a wildcard for the Brisbane International starting January 4. This isn’t an exhibition. This is the real deal.
If Kyrgios wants that Australian Open spot, he can’t just show up in Brisbane; he needs to look like a professional tennis player. He needs to move well, serve big, and show that his body can hold up against ATP-level competition. If he flops in Brisbane, or if he walks onto the court looking as stiff as he did in Dubai, the organizers might just decide to save that wildcard for someone who is actually ready to play.
We all want the Kyrgios show back. But right now, it looks like it might be cancelled before the pilot even airs.
