Nick Kyrgios will team up with Thanasi Kokkinakis in the Australian Open doubles. The duo have previously enjoyed huge success and won the Grand Slam together in 2022.
Kyrgios is making a return to action over the coming weeks after almost two years out injured. Career-threatening wrist and knee injuries have kept the 29-year-old sidelined, with the Australian Open set to be his first major appearance since he reached the quarter-final of the 2022 US Open.
His comeback will take place at the World Tennis League in the days prior to Christmas. Kyrgios is then scheduled to participate in the Brisbane International as he ramps up his preparations for the Australian Open.
Kokkinakis has been a productive doubles partner for Kyrgios. They won the Australian Open in 2022 and won a title in Atlanta earlier that year. But Kyrgios’ prolonged absence has stalled their on-court relationship.
Singles World No. 77 Kokkinakis is excited to reunite with Kyrgios but insists that they do not intend to go all the way in the doubles draw at the Australian Open. Instead, he plans to reach the third round of the singles for the first time and rise up the rankings.
“It’s gonna be great for tennis, great for fans in Australia, fans all over the world,” Kokkinakis said of his friend’s return. “He’s a different cat. Obviously has a different sort of energy about him, and he’s a hell of a player, so I think people are going to love having him back.
“It’s been a long time coming. I think he’s been ready for a while now to play, but I think he wanted to make sure he’s really ready [before] he steps back, so hopefully he can stay healthy.”
Asked if he can envisage Kyrgios making an excellent start in Melbourne, Kokkinakis emphatically responded: “Yeah, definitely. [He’s a] super-talented player.
“With that serve you almost don’t even need to play that well at times to give yourself a chance. So if his body’s in good nick, which I’m sure it will be, for sure. He’s always a dangerous threat.
“Doubles is a tricky one, because everyone loved it last time, we loved it, it was so much fun. It’s definitely not going to be the priority for us. We feel like we owe it to people to get back out there and have some fun.”
