Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios marked their long-awaited reunion with a gritty 5-7, 6-4, 10-8 doubles win over Matt Ebden and Rajeev Ram in Brisbane, a comeback moment that left Kokkinakis in tears.
Kokkinakis had not played since last year’s Australian Open after a serious pectoral injury that required surgery to reattach the muscle to his shoulder using an Achilles tendon graft.
Kyrgios, meanwhile, had been limited to just six singles matches across three years and was playing his first ATP match in 167 days.
“I’ve never really teared up from a doubles match. Even when we won [the Australian Open title], there was excitement, but it wasn’t, like, crazy. What I’ve gone through the last 12 months is crazy,” Kokkinakis said.
He added that playing again, “especially with Nick,” was a “special feeling” after “a very rocky road this [past] year”.
Kyrgios said every chance to return to court now feels meaningful.
“I feel like my tennis journey has been so interesting, and anytime I’m able to add a little match like this to, I guess, the resume, or just get out there and play, it’s special,” he said.
“I don’t really know what my plan is this year or what my future holds, either. I’m literally taking it day by day.”
The pair, teenage rivals turned lifelong friends who famously won the Australian Open doubles title in 2022, said playing together reminds them why they still push through injuries.
“When me and Thanasi play doubles together, we remember that this sport can be pretty fun,” Kyrgios said.
Kokkinakis agreed, stating, “While we’re somewhat able to keep going, I think we will.”
