Thanasi Kokkinakis returned to professional tennis after a 12-month absence due to pectoral surgery, participating in doubles matches with Nick Kyrgios at both the Brisbane International and the Australian Open. The duo, who previously won the 2022 Australian Open doubles title, experienced varying results in their recent tournaments, with both players continuing to manage ongoing injury issues.
Return to Competition in Brisbane
Thanasi Kokkinakis made his return to professional tennis at the Brisbane International, competing in doubles with Nick Kyrgios. This marked Kokkinakis's first competition in nearly a year, following pectoral surgery that involved the attachment of a donor's Achilles tendon to his shoulder. His absence began after the previous year's Australian Open.
In their opening match in Brisbane, Kokkinakis and Kyrgios secured a victory against the team of Matt Ebden and Rajeev Ram with a score of 5-7, 6-4, 10-8. Following the match, Kokkinakis reflected on his recovery process, which involved consultations with medical professionals globally, including a specialist who has treated Rafael Nadal. He described the challenges of rehabilitation, noting days of uncertainty about his return to play. Kokkinakis reported his serve was not yet at full capacity but expressed satisfaction with his overall play during the 92-minute match.
Nick Kyrgios has also experienced a reduced playing schedule, having participated in six singles matches over the past three years due to various injuries. He acknowledged the extensive effort involved in rehabilitation for professional athletes. Kokkinakis was scheduled to participate in singles at the Adelaide International the following week, while Kyrgios was scheduled for a singles match against Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Brisbane International Doubles Campaign Concludes
Kokkinakis and Kyrgios's doubles campaign at the Brisbane International concluded in the round-of-16. They were defeated by France's Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul with a final score of 6-0, 1-6, 10-6. The French duo secured the first set 6-0, with Kyrgios's serve being broken in his opening service game. The Australian team then won the second set 6-1. The match was decided by a first-to-10 tie-break, which Doumbia and Reboul won 10-6 after initially taking a 5-0 lead. Fabien Reboul commented after the match, expressing happiness to see Kokkinakis and Kyrgios competing again given their injury histories.
Australian Open Doubles and Ongoing Fitness Concerns
The "Special Ks" duo of Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios were eliminated from the Australian Open men's doubles in the first round. They lost to Australian countrymen Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans with a score of 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (10-4). Both Kyrgios and Kokkinakis had previously withdrawn from singles competition due to ongoing fitness concerns.
During the match, Kyrgios experienced issues with his taped left knee, and Kokkinakis's right shoulder caused discomfort, leading to a medical timeout in the final set. Kokkinakis indicated that his current shoulder issue was related to an injury that had led to his withdrawal from the Adelaide International and the Australian Open singles. Following treatment for Kokkinakis, Kubler and Polmans recovered from a 4-1 deficit to win the set in a tiebreaker.
Kokkinakis commented on their performance, stating they were "shadows of our former selves" due to their physical condition. He expressed an intent to take a "serious break" from tennis to address his fitness, stating he did not wish to play another match feeling unwell.
During the match, Kyrgios expressed frustration over two officiating decisions in the third-set tiebreak, specifically questioning the review system regarding a "let" call on a Kokkinakis serve and a successful challenge by Kubler. Kyrgios also received a warning for unsportsmanlike conduct related to language and an incident involving his racquet. Umpire Marijana Veljovic worked to manage crowd behavior throughout the match. Jason Kubler, a 2023 Australian Open doubles champion, commented on the intensity of playing against Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, noting the energy from the crowd. Kubler and Polmans advanced to the second round.
Career Context
Kokkinakis and Kyrgios previously won the Australian Open doubles title in 2022. Both players have encountered multiple injury setbacks throughout their careers. The status of a potential Australian Open singles wildcard for Kyrgios remains a subject of consideration.