Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis will defend their reigning men’s doubles title at the Australian Open tennis tournament in Melbourne this month.
The pair, who are close friends nicknamed the Special Ks, put on a show at the Australian Open in 2021 when the pair first competed in the men’s doubles tournament.
Kokkinakis and Kyrgios defeated fellow Australians, Matt Ebden and Max Purcell, and became the first home pairing to win the Australian Open men’s doubles title since Mark Woodforde and Todd Woodbridge in 1997, according to Yahoo Sports.
Childhood friends Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis are Grand Slam champions together! 🙏🏻 pic.twitter.com/1YKIDuxCJz
— SPORTbible (@sportbible) January 29, 2022
According to ABC news, Kokkinakis confirmed he would be pairing up with Kyrgios again at the Australian Open this year because it’s “a lot less taxing on the body. Mentally it’s a bit easier as well.”
“Obviously, singles is our priority but I think it would be rude not to go out there and have fun with it,” Kokkinakis added.
Name a better duo than @NickKyrgios and @TKokkinakis 🙌#AusOpen • #AO2022 pic.twitter.com/VjG5heQQD6
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2022
Kokkinakis attributes his friendship with Kyrgios as a key component to their success.
“We used our chemistry off the court to kind of bring us together and play some good tennis and I think we did that,” he told Yahoo Sports.
Prior to the Australian Open on January 16, Kokkinakis is competing in ATP Tour events in his home town of Adelaide, South Australia.
Kyrgios is also scheduled to play in Adelaide during the second week of events, however after pulling out of Australia’s United Cup team with an ankle injury last Wednesday, it is not confirmed.
