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Stan Wawrinka Receives Australian Open Wildcard; Nick Kyrgios to Focus on Doubles

Posted : 09 January 2026

Former Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka has been granted a wildcard for the 2026 tournament as he embarks on his final season on the ATP Tour. The decision was confirmed on Friday, alongside wildcards for Australians Jordan Thompson and Chris O’Connell.

Nick Kyrgios, the home favourite, will play only doubles at the Melbourne Grand Slam. The Australian, recovering from an injury-plagued three years, said he was not ready for the physical demands of singles, despite being in contention for a wildcard. "After discussions with Tennis Australia, I’ve decided to focus on doubles for this year’s Australian Open," Kyrgios posted on Instagram.

Wawrinka, now 40 and ranked 156th, highlighted the significance of playing in Melbourne at the start of his farewell season. The Swiss star won his first major at the Australian Open in 2014, reaching world No. 3 that same year, and went on to appear in two other semifinals at the event. "To have the chance to play the AO at the beginning of my final year on tour means the world to me," Wawrinka said.

Kyrgios made his singles return in Brisbane this week but lost in the opening round to American Aleksandar Kovacevic, marking his first ATP Tour singles match since March last year. He admitted that he would not be the player he once was and welcomed the opportunity to let another player take a singles wildcard. "This tournament means everything to me, but I’d rather give my spot to someone ready to make their moment count," he said.

Although Kyrgios is skipping singles, he will compete in doubles alongside fellow Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis. He has also confirmed plans to play singles at the Kooyong Classic in Melbourne, which begins on Tuesday.

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