Thanasi Kokkinakis Provides Update on Nick Kyrgios' Injury and Altered Doubles Plans for Australian Open

Thanasi Kokkinakis recently provided an update on Nick Kyrgios' injury situation, revealing that he is unsure when his close friend will be making a comeback.

Kokkinakis emphasized that Kyrgios is doing everything possible to recover as quickly as he can.

Kyrgios, who won the Australian Open men's doubles title with Kokkinakis in 2022, was plagued by knee and wrist injuries in 2023, limiting his appearances to just one tournament. Unfortunately, Kyrgios has not sufficiently recovered in time for the start of the 2024 season. As a result, Kokkinakis plans to partner with fellow Australian Alexei Popyrin for the Australian Open.

"I'll be teaming up with the tall, lanky ostrich in the corner, Alexei. Hopefully, Nick gets back to full health soon. Injuries can be unpredictable, and they often lead to other minor issues when you haven't played for a while. I don't know when he'll be back, but I know he's giving his all," Kokkinakis stated.

Reflecting on his own career, Kokkinakis, who will turn 28 in April, acknowledged the challenges he faced with injuries and surgeries early on. However, in recent years, he has managed to avoid serious setbacks and now feels young and optimistic about his future in tennis. He believes that his best days on the court are still ahead of him.

"I believe my prime is yet to come, but I'm unsure about how long I'll continue to play professionally. Some players are like machines, competing week after week, everywhere. That aspect is where I struggle. But in tennis years, I feel like I'm 22 or 23 and still have my best tennis ahead of me. I just need to stay focused and make the most of the remainder of my career," Kokkinakis shared.

Currently ranked at No. 65 in the world, Kokkinakis is preparing to start his season at the Brisbane International. As he did not receive a main draw wildcard, he is scheduled to compete in the qualifying event in Brisbane.