Few players appreciate the importance of competing in Melbourne more than Thanasi Kokkinakis. Images of the jubilant 18-year-old circling Court 3 to celebrate with fans following a marathon defeat of Ernest Gulbis at the 2015 Australian Open, the then number 247 in the world who beat number 13 Gulbis 8-6 in the fifth set.
the memory bank of his many followers. But no one has better memories of that career-defining victory than Kokkinakis himself. “Those are the reasons you play,” the South Australian smiled during a recent break from practice.
“Court 3 has been a great court for me, winning or losing the crowd there has been incredible. “For me it is the best tournament in the world and there is nothing like it” It was games like those that fueled Kokkinakis as he overcame numerous setbacks in the following years.
In late 2015, he underwent surgery on his right shoulder and, with an abdominal strain, played just one ATP match through mid-2017 season. The ups and downs continued for Kokkinakis, who returned to stun Milos Raonic at Queen’s in 2017. and was a winner over then-world No. 1 Roger Federer at the 2018 Miami Masters.
But suffering from a severe attack of glandular fever, Kokkinakis was unable to play any events as the 2020 season began. So there is an understandable excitement as the 24-year-old prepares once again for his home Grand Slam.
“Just having that atmosphere and that crowd. I’ve always played good tennis there so I can’t wait, ”said Kokkinakis, a wild-card catcher who carries the hard-earned prospect to his fifth main draw appearance at the Australian Open.
While the unusual circumstances of the first Grand Slam of the season, delayed due to the pandemic and with strict security protocols already in place, create a challenge for many players, Kokkinakis recognizes a unique opportunity.
“For once, I feel like everyone is in the same boat when it comes to wasted time. It has been a hard year for everyone, but what I took is, if you will, a bit of confidence knowing that everyone is in the same boat as me, “he reasoned.
“I’ve been in this situation where I had to get laid off many, many times, so I’m used to it to a degree. I feel like I know how to deal with it and I’m looking forward to getting started. “
Kokkinakis will do so knowing that he has done his best to deliver a quality performance. After recovering from the illness that delayed his start to the 2020 season, Kokkinakis spent time training in Melbourne with two-time Major League finalist Mark Philippoussis.
“It was difficult because I couldn’t bring my coaches from Adelaide,” explained the South Australian, who claimed two UTR Pro Tennis Series titles as international tours were cut short due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
“It has been great using Mark as a little mentor and just hitting some balls and talking to him. He’s a really good guy who likes to help me where he can. “There are also recent training blocks in Brisbane, which provide quality hitting partners and valuable conditions.
“(I was) trying to mix and keep the commitment. The practice has been good, ”said Kokkinakis. “Obviously Brisbane is very good with the weather and humidity to prepare physically …
It’s been good, preparation has been really good. “So is the outlook, with Kokkinakis excited to complement his singles campaign with a doubles appearance alongside Nick Kyrgios.
There is already a strong shared history between close friends, who played in the 2013 Australian Open men’s singles final (Kyrgios emerged as the winner) and came together to win the Wimbledon men’s doubles that season.
Kokkinakis is delighted to rekindle that partnership for the third time at the 2021 Australian Open, especially given their close friendship. “With some players you are obviously closer than others, but Nick is probably the closest I talk to,” he said.
“We probably talk every day or two. Not even about tennis, usually about random stupid things on social media, but that’s how we talk. Our communication goes back a long way and our relationship, “I can’t wait to go out and play some doubles with him.”
The link with Melbourne is equally strong, Kokkinakis knows that both the players and the fans have had a special opportunity at a unique Australian Open. “I am very excited (to be back in Melbourne).
I love this city. It has been a difficult year, especially for the Melburnians, but I hope that this Australian Open can be a bit of joy for them during a difficult year, ”he said.
“It’s unreal to be back with that crowd. Hopefully the energy is the same as it has been for the past few years. “As he steps onto the pitch for the 2021 installment, Kokkinakis can equally appreciate the value of embracing the moment.
“I think just be resilient and stay in the moment,” he said of the lessons learned in the last few seasons. “You never know what can happen and things change very fast. You just have to live in the present and make the best of the situation ”
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