Kokkinakis: Kyrgios is a different animal, and tennis has missed him
Thanasi Kokkinakis says that tennis has missed the animal spirit of the inimitable Nick Kyrgios.
©AP Photo/Andy Brownbill)
Seeing Nick Kyrgios’ name in the Brisbane International draw felt like an early Christmas present for tennis fans who like their tennis spicy. There is rarely a dull moment when the former Wimbledon champion, who has played just one ATP match since October of 2022, takes the court.
The talented, rebellious Kyrgios will be a welcome addition to the tour in 2025, says his mate Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Speaking at a press conference ahead of this weekend’s UTS Grand Final, Kokkinakis said that the sport has missed the outspoken and ubertalented man from Canberra.
“I think tennis has missed him,” Kokkinakis said. “He has a different personality and he’s a different animal out there a little bit, with how he acts and the energy that he brings and I think that tennis has missed it for a couple of years.”
Kokkinakis, who won the Aussie Open doubles title with Kyrgios in 2022, says he wouldn’t mind rekindling the magic that he felt with his mate three years ago when they became the first all-Aussie men’s doubles tandem to win a Grand Slam title since the fabled Woodies in 2000.
But first he wants to soak up the atmosphere of what is sure to be a special return to the court for Kyrgios, who has suffered significant injuries – and surgeries – to his left knee and right wrist over the last two years.
Kyrgios joins a stacked Brisbane draw that also includes 24-time major champion Novak Djokovic in the event that will take place from December 29 to January 5. He won the title in Brisbane in 2018.
“I think he’s been ready for a while, to get going,” Kokkinakis said. “Just waiting for the right time, until he’s fully sure. Starting in Brisbane he’s going to bring a lot of atmoshpere – I think the Australian public is gonna love seeing him again.
“Hopefully he stays healthy and we can play doubles as well, at some point.”
Kokkinakis, meanwhile, will take his place in the UTS Grand Final in London this week for the first time. He has been drawn into a group with Andrey Rublev, Ugo Humbert and Gael Monfils. Group B features Alex de Minaur, Alexander Bublik, Holger Rune and Jan-Lennard Struff.
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