Thanasi Kokkinakis, what is missing to be among the best in the world

It is difficult that when you hear the name of Thanasi Kokkinakis Don’t think about what could have been and wasn’t, or at least what hasn’t been up to now. And it is that the Australian is in time to achieve important things, as long as he avoids the shadow of injuries and manages to polish some details that he himself knows and on which he reflects in the press conference at ATP 250 Adelaide 1 2023. Champion last year in the second annual edition of this event, the Australian seeks to rediscover his best level and find that turning point that will make him maintain excellence for a whole year, something that is his great duty. Ranked 93rd in the world, most of his points are concentrated in this Australian tour, in which he will seek to be the protagonist.

“Winning in Adelaide last year was a blessing and a curse, at the same time, because I was tired and fell at the first change in Melbourne. The competition in these weeks is going to be fierce. I don’t remember an ATP 250 tournament with a squad as spectacular as this one, but that motivates me because I want to test myself against the best one more time. I know that I have the level of tennis necessary to hurt anyone, but I am also aware that I have not been able to sustain it over time. Last year I ended up competing very little in the final stretch of the season and that is what I want to correct for this campaign”, says a Kokkinakis who grows in the big events and against the most outstanding players in the world, but he lacks consistency.

Kokkinakis wants to compete regularly for an entire season

He knows it and believes that the big difference between him and the best in the world is more mental than tennis. “What amazes me about those who are at the top of the ranking is their ability to avoid physical and mental fatigue, competing with guarantees week after week. It has always been difficult for me to maintain competitive tension, it’s as if I lost my hunger for triumphs when the weeks of competition begin. My big goal is to correct that this season, to be able to maintain a certain regularity throughout the year and be competitive in all the tournaments I play in. I have rested well, had a great preseason and I don’t feel the pressure,” warns a Thanasi Kokkinakis who was questioned about Novak Djokovic. “If you look at the statistics, he’s the best ever. He’s going to have massive support in Australia because we all look up to him,” he declares.