Long ago, in a past that seems incredibly distant, Thanasi Kokkinakis He was considered one of the young people with the greatest projection on the circuit. What’s more: he was part of the Australian Double K, a duo that promised to establish themselves among the elite of the circuit if their progression on the junior circuit was transferred to ATP levels. That Double K had as another member neither more nor less than Nick Kyrgios. That was more than half a decade ago.
Gone is that final of the junior Australian Open, at the Rod Laver Arena, between two friends. Was 2013 and only a year later Kyrgios would achieve the first great victory of his career, against a certain Rafael Nadal in Wimbledon. Meanwhile, Kokkinakis’ progress was more gradual, with no strident results or great moments of form in certain weeks. Everything seemed to be going smoothly, yes, with a promising 2015: fourth round at Indian Wells, first victory at the Australian Open, Davis Cup and Roland Garros, and entry to the top-100 through the big door.
But it didn’t take long for things to go wrong in the most bizarre way possible. Kokkinakis barely lavished on the slopes in 2016, the result of a injury on his left shoulder. When he wanted to return (he forced himself to make his debut at the Rio Olympics, in which he fell in the first round), he found a new problem, in this case a chest strain that took him off the track for the remainder of the year. Thanasi attributed these injuries to a single reason: vanity. Yes, incredible as it may sound, these injuries were born out of the Australian’s desire to add more volume than he should have to his body … so that he could show off better biceps in the tank tops that Nike had promised him.
In 2017, when the world seemed to have forgotten him, Kokkinakis returned to the circuit and played his first and only ATP final to date, in the tournament of Los Cabos. As if that had not been enough, the Australian would sign one of the great surprises of the year by defeating Roger Federer at the Miami Masters 1000 in 2018. However, Thanasi’s appearances around the circuit have again been fragmented by further injuries, some as serious as a mononucleosis which made him lose up to eleven kilos. His body has never allowed him to focus solely on his tennis. Until today.
Fast forward to 2021 and the latest news is finally positive: Thanasi will be part of the Open de Australia thanks to an invitation. Few people deserve it more than he does: after enduring a personal ordeal year after year, the pieces of the puzzle are beginning to fit together. “I’ve never been as healthy as I am right now. I almost feel relieved to be able to be in Australia, the Open is without a doubt my favorite event of the year, the atmosphere is like no other I have ever experienced. goosebumps remembering my game against Gulbis, with people going crazy in the stands“, he affirmed in declarations to 9News.
Thanasi Kokkinakis says he’s never been healthier as he steps up preparations for February’s Australian Open. @ tomrehn9 #9News pic.twitter.com/DdWfSk8vfI
— 9News Melbourne (@9NewsMelb) December 29, 2020
That duel against the Latvian dates back to 2015. I was 18 years old. A long time without being able to live an experience like the one you will have in just months. “2020 was probably the year I’ve been in the best shape. I haven’t been able to play any tournaments, but that has given me the opportunity to don’t speed up the times after injury “. Currently, Thanasi prepares the appointment in Adelaide training with Alex Bolt, another of the beneficiaries of the wildcards.
There are many cases of wasted talent, but Kokkinakis will always have the asterisk of what could have been because of something that, on many occasions, was out of his control. Everything that comes from now on will be a gift for a guy who, despite his young age, has experienced situations and injuries that many experience throughout a sports career. Talent, self-confidence and ambition were always there: now it’s time to channel anger and the sick desire to show everyone that yes, Thanasi Kokkinakis still has time to be a crack. We await you with open arms.
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