Former Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios said on Friday he will not play in the singles competition at this month's Australian Open as he is not ready to play five-set matches.
The 30-year-old, who reached the quarter-finals of the tournament in 2015 but has struggled with a series of injuries in recent seasons, will only feature in the doubles, which begins at Melbourne Park on 18 January.
Kyrgios has fallen to number 670 in the world and would have needed a wildcard to play in the singles.
The player has undergone wrist reconstruction and had two knee surgeries since losing in the 2022 Wimbledon final to Novak Djokovic.
He lost in straight sets in the opening round of the Brisbane Open by Aleksander Kovacevic on Tuesday.
"After some good conversations with TA I've made the call to focus on doubles for this year's AO," AustralianKyrgios wrote on social media.
"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."
Tennis Australia said on Friday that Stan Wawrinka had been given a wildcard in what will be the three-time major winner's last appearance at the event before he retires at the end of the season.
"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," the 40-year-old said.
"To have the chance to play the Australian Open at the beginning of my final year on tour means the world to me."
Australians Jordan Thompson and Chris O'Connell also received wildcards.
