Together with his weapon of a serve in hand, tennis showman Nick Kyrgios can hit the bottom working on his Australian Open return, says doubles associate Thanasi Kokkinakis.
Kyrgios, 29, who has had a horror run of wrist and knee accidents, will play on the Brisbane Worldwide from 29 December, earlier than returning to the grand slam stage at Melbourne Park for the Australian Open which begins on 12 January. The former world No 13 is utilizing a protected rating for his first Open since he pulled out on the eve of his first-round match in 2023.
“It’s gonna be nice for tennis, nice for followers in Australia, followers all around the world,” Kokkinakis mentioned. “He’s a a special cat. Clearly has a special form of power about him, and he’s a hell of a participant, so I believe individuals are going to like having him again.
“It’s been a very long time coming. I believe he’s been prepared for some time now to play, however I believe he needed to verify he’s actually prepared [before] he steps again, so hopefully he can keep wholesome.”
Requested if he might see Kyrgios hitting the bottom working, Kokkinakis mentioned: “Yeah, undoubtedly.”
“[He’s a] super-talented participant,” Kokkinakis added. “With that serve you nearly don’t even have to play that effectively at instances to provide your self an opportunity. So if his physique’s in good nick, which I’m certain will probably be, for certain. He’s all the time a harmful risk.”
Each gamers might have to deal with singles, reasonably than revisiting their Open-winning doubles heroics from 2022.
“Doubles is a tough one, as a result of everybody liked it final time, we liked it, it was a lot enjoyable,” Kokkinakis mentioned. “It’s undoubtedly not going to be the precedence for us. We really feel like we owe it to individuals to get again on the market and have some enjoyable.
“It’s not one thing we’ve practised, however singles is certainly the objective. It’s a tough one. When you’ve got a giant five-setter, with all due respect, the very last thing you wish to do is exit and play doubles the following day, however we’ll play it by ear and see the way it goes.”
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Kokkinakis is used to answering questions on his high-profile mate. “I bear in mind in Turin, he rocked up late, and all I heard is ‘the place is Nick?’” he mentioned with a smile.
World No 77 Kokkinakis, 28, is aiming to remain wholesome, make the Open third spherical for the primary time and stand up the rankings.
“So far as form of constant massive wins and my tennis degree, it [2024] is nearly as good as I’ve been,” Kokkinakis mentioned. “I’m going to make use of it as a springboard for this 12 months arising.
“I really feel like my tennis is correct there with the highest guys, and I really feel like I’m actually knocking on the door. I’ve simply received to maintain working laborious and never take my foot off the fuel. High 50 is the following push for me and I believe I don’t have to cease there. I believe I can maintain going.”
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