The 21-year-old, ranked at 19 in the world, had been involved in an ongoing row with the Australian Olympic Committee (AOC) in the build-up to the Games and his decision to pull out marks the end to a saga that had overshadowed the country's preparations for the event.

Kyrgios has blasted the AOC, claiming he has been the victim of “unfair and unjust treatment” after Chef de Mission Kitty Chiller threatened the youngster and team-mate Bernard Tomic with the possibility of being axed from the Rio 2016 team if their behaviour failed to improve.

It followed the actions of Tomic during the Mutua Madrid Open, where he was accused of “tanking” - deliberately trying to lose - when he turned his racket upside-down on match point during his loss to Italy’s Fabio Fognini.

The 23-year-old German-born Australian then caused further anger with comments he made when questioned about his actions, which Chiller described as "appalling".

Tomic has already confirmed he will not compete at Rio 2016, opting instead to play in an ATP competition in Mexico.

Kyrgios was dragged in to the row following a series of controversial incidents involving the player after he was given a suspended 28-day ban for derogatory remarks made about the girlfriend of Switzerland’s Stanislas Wawrinka during a Rogers Cup match in August.

He was also forced to deny tanking at Wimbledon in 2015 when he was beaten by France’s Richard Gasquet, while Tomic previously claimed Kyrgios had faked an injury to miss Australia’s Davis Cup tie with the United States in March.

Kyrgios had been praised by Tennis Australia chief Steve Healy for an improvement in his behaviour but the player hit back at Chiller for putting the pair “on watch”, telling the AOC that “if you don't want two of the best players in Australia to represent your country, so be it”.

His angry reaction on social media then prompted Chiller to claim “he doesn't really know what it means to be an Australian Olympian”.

“Representing Australia at the Olympic Games has been a dream of mine since I was a kid,” Kyrgios said in a lengthy statement on his personal website.

“Playing in the Olympics was a goal this year; I planned my tournament schedule around Rio and made sure to fulfil my Olympic eligibility.

“Unfortunately, while I have expressed every intention of trying to win a medal for my country in Rio, it’s very clear to me that the Australian Olympic Committee has other plans.

“While I have received assurances from Tennis Australia that I will be nominated for the Olympic team, the AOC has chosen to publicly and privately disparage me.

“Not one member of the AOC has reached out to me, my family, my team, or representatives of Tennis Australia, asking for a meeting or the opportunity to discuss their concerns.

“The AOC’s unwarranted attacks on me demonstrate the organisation’s inability to understand the circumstances surrounding highly competitive sports. 

“I also don’t want the AOC’s treatment of me to become a distraction and negatively affect the Australian Olympic team.”

The news provides a blow to Australia’s chances of a medal in the Olympic men’s tennis tournament as Kyrgios and Tomic are the nation’s two highest-ranked players.

Healy also appeared to criticise the AOC as he admitted Tennis Australia were “disappointed he had been put in that position” and that they “totally support his decision and his right to make it”.

“At this point, Nick Kyrgios, or any other tennis athlete, has not been nominated for selection on the Australian Olympic Team,” Chiller said in a statement.

“In regard to selection every athlete in contention is treated equally and fairly.”