Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis to defend Australian Open doubles crown

Thanasi Kokkinakis from Australia has officially announced that he will team up with fellow countryman Nick Kyrgios to defend their men’s doubles title at the upcoming Australian Open. The pair, affectionately known as “The Special Ks,” made history as the first wildcard team to secure the championship at Melbourne Park during the professional era.

Despite initial uncertainties surrounding Nick Kyrgios’ participation in both singles and doubles due to his withdrawal from the United Cup due to injury, Kokkinakis expressed their determination to compete in both categories. Kokkinakis emphasized the comparative advantages of playing doubles, noting its reduced physical and mental demands compared to singles. While acknowledging that singles remains their top priority, Kokkinakis expressed enthusiasm for enjoying the experience and having fun on the doubles court.

Leading up to the Australian Open, set to commence on January 16, Kokkinakis will also be participating in the singles category at the first of two Adelaide International tournaments. He expressed surprise at the formidable lineup for the ATP 250 event, which includes notable players such as Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev, former world number ones. Kokkinakis remarked on the exceptional strength of the field, considering the tournament’s ATP 250 status, highlighting the presence of players like Holger Rune, seeded fifth despite being the 11th-ranked player in the world. He described the lineup as “absurd,” noting that the event’s competitiveness could rival that of higher-tier tournaments like a 500 or even a Masters event.