Adelaide's hometown hero, Thanasi Kokkinakis, has withdrawn from the Adelaide International 2026 ahead of his second-round match, dealing with a recurring right shoulder issue. The 29-year-old, returning to singles after nearly a year out due to pectoral surgery in February 2025, fought through a gritty first-round win over Sebastian Korda but was in visible pain and needed on-court treatment.
Kokkinakis shared the news on social media, posting: "Very sad to have to pull out of my favourite event. Unfortunately, my arm isn’t quite ready yet after missing a year off. The support is always incredible, and I love playing here. See you next year."
The setback raises serious concerns about his participation in the Australian Open, which starts soon in Melbourne. Kokkinakis had entered Adelaide primarily to play in front of local fans despite an ongoing recovery from the long layoff.
His opponent, Monaco's Valentin Vacherot, advances via walkover.
This latest injury adds to Kokkinakis' challenging history, but the tennis community remains supportive—get well soon, Thanasi! Adelaide and Greek-Australian fans are rooting for your full comeback.
Thanasi Kokkinakis Stages Emotional Comeback After Groundbreaking Surgery
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