Nick Kyrgios will gain entry to the Australian Open main singles draw despite not having a ranking – but he won’t need a wildcard.
After his ranking dropped to as low as 472, the 29-year-old is now unranked after playing one professional match since October 2022 because of wrist and knee injuries.
While box office Kyrgios could probably get a wildcard for Melbourne Park if he wanted one, the Australian has got his place in the grand slam through a little known ATP rule.
The Sporting News explains how Kyrgios will get into the Australian Open main draw.
NICK KYRGIOS NEWS:
Kyrgios has secured his spot in the Australian Open 2025 main singles draw via his ATP protected ranking.
It has been confirmed Kyrgios has a protected ranking (PR) of 21, meaning the enigmatic Aussie will gain entry to the Australian Open main draw.
However, it is unclear how Kyrgios has used his PR, with ATP rules suggesting the Australian’s ‘Entry Protection’ would have expired by now.
The Sporting News is seeking clarification from both Tennis Australia and the ATP on Kyrgios’ protected ranking.
ATP rules detail that a PR can be used for a maximum of nine months, if the player is injured for six months, or 12 months if the player is injured for 12 months.
It has been 18 months since Kyrgios’ last professional match against Wu Yibing at the Stuttgart Open in June 2023.
Kyrgios is set to feature at the Australian Open in January.
He has been named on the official men’s singles entry list, using his protected ranking of No. 21.
Assuming he is at full fitness, this all but confirms his participation at Melbourne Park.
Kyrgios hasn’t played a professional tennis match since June 2023, struggling with wrist, knee and foot injuries.
His last Grand Slam tournament match was a quarter-final loss to Karen Khachanov at the US Open in 2022.