2014 Australian Open champion Stan Wawrinka has received a singles wild card for this year’s tournament, with home favorite and 2022 Wimbledon finalist Nick Kyrgios only playing in the doubles event.

Wawrinka, 40, announced in December that this will be his final year on tour. One of the highlights of his run 12 years ago was beating the three-time defending champion Novak Djokovic in the quarterfinals, the second of three successive years in which the pair played out a five-set match in Melbourne. Wawrinka’s title win, and that rivalry with Djokovic, made him extremely popular with the crowd.

“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 wild card,” Wawrinka said Friday.

“To have the chance to play the Australian Open at the beginning of my final year on tour means the world to me.”

He has also started the year well, playing an important role in Switzerland’s route to the United Cup semifinals. He, Belinda Bencic and Jakub Paul will face Belgium Saturday in Sydney for a place in the final.

The other two remaining wildcards were given to Australians: Jordan Thompson and Chris O’Connell. Kyrgios, who is ranked No. 670 after barely playing since the summer of 2022 due to injuries and surgeries, says he is focusing on the doubles four years on from winning the event with compatriot Thanasi Kokkinakis.

“After some good conversations with Tennis Australia I’ve made the call to focus on doubles for this year’s AO,” Kyrgios wrote on Instagram. Tennis Australia has not commented on the decision not to give Kyrgios a singles wild card.

“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,” Kyrgios wrote.

“This tournament means everything to me, but I’d rather give my spot to someone who’s ready to make their moment count. It’s all building blocks and I’ll be back next year and pumped to compete. See you out there.”

The Australian Open begins Jan. 18.