“I wish I could do it easier, but I can’t” – Kokkinakis explains motivation struggles after Australian Open redemption
After defeating Sebastian Ofner in five sets, Thanasi Kokkinakis has explained how he struggles for motivation across the course of the tennis season – but not at the Australian Open
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Late on Tuesday evening in Melbourne Park, Thanasi Kokkinakis completed his Australian Open redemption arc.
Just one year ago, the Aussie battled Andy Murray for well over five hours in Margaret Court Arena in the second round of the Australian Open. He lost that match in the fifth set, going down 4-6, 6-7(4), 7-6(5), 6-3, 7-5 with Murray pulling off a brilliant comeback.
This time, he went deep with Sebastian Ofner in John Cain Arena, and the result was different. Kokkinakis won the first round encounter 7-6(1), 2-6, 6-7(4), 6-1, 7-6(8), with a raucous Australian crowd knowing just how much it meant to the 27-year-old after last year’s heart break.
“There’s no better feeling, for sure,” Kokkinakis declared after the match. “I know it’s a first round, but this one meant a lot. Obviously last year, that one hurt.”
Kokkinakis details struggles with motivation
On court after his four hour, 18 minute victory, Kokkinakis was quick to give his home crowd an insight into his mentality.
“Sometimes I struggle for motivation during the year, but January and the Aussie Open definitely isn’t one of those times,” he revealed.
“I wish I could do it easier, but I can’t. I’ve got the mental focus of a three-year-old.”
The world No 80, who has been as high as No 65 in the world, went on to explain how his motivation waivers due to the length of the tennis season.
“I find it, to be honest, very difficult to kind of bring my intensity and level sort of week in, week out as the year gets longer and longer,” Kokkinakis explained. “There’s barely any off-season in this sport. I know you might look in the headlines [and think] I’m a bit of a brat, complaining about something that we get paid well to do, but it is.
“I’m very jealous of the sports that kind of can play sort of eight months and then have some time off and regroup. It feels like with tennis you’re always kind of looking over your shoulder as to what’s next. There’s no time to really decompress.
“I know you can pick and choose your tournaments, but if you do that too much and take too much time off, guys are going to lap you. It’s a tricky sport, and that’s something that I’m always trying to get better at.”
Dimitrov next as Aussie eyes up another epic
The stage is set for another second round epic for Kokkinakis at the Australian Open, with the Aussie taking on No 13 seed Grigor Dimitrov next.
Dimitrov has been in fine form the past few months, with the Bulgarian winning his first title since 2017 at the Brisbane International earlier this year. The former world No 3 will take some beating, but Kokkinakis is confident of his chances.
“I back myself,” the 27-year-old said. “I played guys like him before. One-handed backhand. I’m going to try to be aggressive and take it to him and kind of hopefully make him feel uncomfortable out there. It’s going to be a very tough match, and I’m going to bring my best.”
In his first round match, Dimitrov was also tested, navigating a tricky three hour, 27 minute encounter with Hungarian Marton Fucsovics 4-6, 6-3 7-6(1), 6-2.
