Thanasi Kokkinakis says he and close friend Nick Kyrgios will defend their men’s doubles title at this month’s Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne.
Key points:
- Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios won last year’s Australian Open men’s doubles final as wildcards
- They expect to again juggle singles and doubles commitments at the season-opening major
- Kokkinakis is in Adelaide to contest the back-to-back ATP Tour events
Kokkinakis and Kyrgios — nicknamed the “Special Ks” — provided an intriguing storyline at last year’s Australian Open, as they thrilled packed crowds with their run to the final.
The wildcard pairing teamed up to beat fellow Australians Matt Ebden and Max Purcell in the final on the same night Ash Barty won the women’s singles crown.
“We’ll be playing at [the Australian Open] — doubles is a lot less taxing on the body, and mentally it’s a bit easier as well,” Kokkinakis said.
“Obviously, singles is our priority but I think it would be rude not to go out there and have fun with it.”
Kokkinakis is in his home town of Adelaide to contest the back-to-back ATP Tour events being held ahead of the Australian Open, which will begin on January 16.
He is defending champion in the second tournament.
With a world ranking of 93, Kokkinakis was granted a wildcard into this week’s Adelaide draw.
He will play American world number 34 Maxime Cressy in the opening round.
Kyrgios is scheduled to play during week two in Adelaide, however he may be in doubt after pulling out of Australia’s United Cup team with an ankle injury last Wednesday.
Top-seed Novak Djokovic is playing in Australia for the first time since he was deported prior to last year’s Australian Open and has been drawn to play Frenchman Constant Lestienne in round one.
Another former world number one, Daniil Medvedev, takes on Italian Lorenzo Sonego.
AAP/ABC