Thanasi Kokkinakis is one of Nick Kyrgios' best friends on the ATP Tour. The former Wimbledon Championships finalist has drawn both criticism and support in recent months for his continued attacks on Jannik Sinner over the Italian's double positive test for the banned substance Clostebol at the BNP Paribas Open in Indian Wells.
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Thanasi and Nick, who won the 2022 Australian Open doubles together, have vowed to play together again. Kokkinakis explained why they are so popular with the crowd and fans, analyzing:
"With Nick it's always a bit of a circus. We say a lot of nonsense on court. We didn't expect the success we had three years ago. It will be difficult to repeat it, but it will certainly be fun. We do it more for the crowd than to build a doubles career."
The world number 15, who in a few hours will debut in the home tournament in Adelaide, the first and only title won in singles, talkedabout his form and motivations.
"I'm ready. I want to win as many matches as possible and play good tennis. The outcome is never guaranteed, but I can give my best and play the right way. Returning to play in front of the home crowd is a special moment: It doesn't happen often to Australians. We have to take advantage of it," he said in a press conference.
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Finally, he came back to a topic already discussed in the past, the frenetic pace of a tour packed with events, explaining: "The tour lasts eleven months. Every time I say it's too long, I get criticized. But that's how it is. Exhibition events pay better, sometimes you have to make choices."
We recall Nick's presence at the Australian Open is in doubt, due to a new physical problem suffered by the 29-year-old in the last few hours, as confirmed by the Australian player himself through an Instagram story.
