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"Shocking, not excusable": Why Aus Open will miss Kyrgios
SEN • January 12th, 2026 12:43 pm
Nick Kyrgios has behaved in a “shocking and inexcusable way” throughout his career but fans have been warned this Australian Open could be one of their final chances to see the polarising star in action.
Last week the 30-year-old announced he would not be contesting the singles draw of this year’s grand slam owing to his ongoing fitness struggles but he will be partnering Thanasi Kokkinakis in the doubles.
The duo won the title back in 2022 the first accolade in what was arguably Kyrgios’ best ever season. He went on to play in the Wimbledon final that year and the US Open quarters.
He has bene plagued with injury ever since and has undergone a full wrist reconstruction and multiple knee surgeries making five sets on hard court too much of a stretch for the start of the 2026 season.
Former Australian Open director Paul McNamee has said the absence of Kyrgios from the singles draw is unlikely to impact the tournament despite the world No. 671 playing some of the most entertaining tennis of any one on the circuit.
“I think the Aussie Open is too big to worry about that anymore,” he told SEN. “He is not one of the guys in contention really. Best of five on hard courts, he’s not ready for that.
“He would have filled John Cain Arena for a few matches, but we have to understand time is running out for Nick Kyrgios to have a run at a grand slam. Will we get to see that in Melbourne again? I hope we do next year.
“Like (Novak) Djokovic, the clock has run down.
“Other than Alcaraz, there is no one you would rather watch play. The guy does cross the line, and he rubs people the wrong way. Some of the things he has done are shocking. Not excusable, but he is riveting to watch.
“His style is so unique. Without warming up he’s serving aces. The guy is incredible talent.
“He and Alcaraz are the two most talented players in the world for talent but he has health issues, body issues and he has never had the make up of a Lleyton Hewitt.
“I don’t criticise him as much as others. Yes, he crosses a line, but who has everything?
“He is true to himself. He is a bit crazy, he crosses a line, but he is true to himself and he is authentic.
“Like Djokovic, you can disagree with his approach to vaccines etc but he is authentic. He rubs people the wrong way and so does Nick.
“He is an enormous talent, we will miss seeing. He and Kokkinakis have won it before, and this could be one of your last chances to see him.”
Kyrgios announced his Aus Open singles decision with “the blessing” of Craig Tiley.
“We never made a decision on whether or not he gets a wildcard until he was comfortable in competing,” Tiley told The Age.
“I think what’s really important is that it was open dialogue with Nick – and his team as well. We trusted his assessment that he would need to make on his ability to play singles.
“He hasn’t played a lot of singles matches. You’ve got to be ready to play and compete in a full five sets because that’s what it could be, so we left it up to him to make that assessment. And so, in a very good and adult way, he made that assessment.
“In my view, it was totally the right decision by him because when you walk on the court, and I know when he does, he wants to give himself the best opportunity to win the match. If not, there’s no value to walk on.”
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will be granted a wildcard for the men’s doubles.
The Australian Open main draw starts on January 18th with qualifying underway from today, January 12th.
