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Multiple Grand Slam winner deserves an Australian Open wildcard over Nick Kyrgios

Originally posted on HITC | By Peter Lynch | Last updated Jan 5, 2026 1:01 PM ET

The Australian Open is rapidly approaching, with stars across the ATP and WTA tours seeking success in Melbourne.

Melbourne Park plays host to the hard-court Grand Slam later this month, for which many wildcards have already been handed out.

Tennis legend Venus Williams, who has never won the Australian Open singles title, is among the players to have made the cut thus far.

Home favorite Nick Kyrgios will be hopeful of following suit, but it has become increasingly clear that Stan Wawrinka deserves a wildcard more than any other player.

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Stan Wawrinka deserves Australian Open wildcard over Nick Kyrgios

Wawrinka should have already been granted access to the Australian Open for a handful of reasons, namely his history at the event.

He lifted the trophy in 2014 for his first of three career Grand Slam titles, superbly beating Rafael Nadal in the final.

The Swiss veteran followed that success with titles at the French Open and US Open in 2015 and 2016 respectively.

He beat Novak Djokovic on both occasions, before suffering heartache against Rafael Nadal in the 2017 French Open final.

He also deserves a wildcard now given that he has just started his last ever season on the ATP Tour, meaning he won’t ever play at the Australian Open again.

Photo credit should read FRANCOIS XAVIER MARIT/AFP via Getty Images

Flavio Cobolli issues classy message to Stan Wawrinka after their United Cup match

Wawrinka may have just kicked off his final season at the age of 40, but he’s proven he’s still more than capable on the court.

He beat Arthur Rinderknech in his first match of 2026 at the United Cup, before narrowly losing to Flavio Cobolli.

The latter shared his admiration for Wawrinka in the immediate aftermath of their match, saying: “It’s always a pleasure to play with Stan. He taught me something every day.

“Like I said at the net, he is an incredible player, incredible person. So it’s very nice to have him here in Australia. So I want to wish him good luck for the last season. You deserve it.”