Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis, the reigning Australian Open men’s doubles champions, have been forced to retire from their first-round match against fellow Aussies James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic.
The duo, known as “Special K,” withdrew at the end of the fifth game in the second set, trailing after losing the first set.
Both players were dealing with injuries heading into the match, with Kokkinakis still recovering from a gruelling five-set loss the night before against Jack Draper. Kyrgios was receiving treatment for an abdominal strain, but it was Kokkinakis’ ongoing pectoral issue that ultimately led to their retirement.
“(The) doctor advised me not to play… I can’t serve, can’t hit a high forehand. I’m in a lot of pain. (But) I wanted to come out here,” Kokkinakis said after the match.
Source: ABC News.
