Melbourne – Greek -Australian tennis player Thanasi Kokkinakis has pulled out of the singles draw at the 2026 Australian Open, citing ongoing recovery issues from a right shoulder injury.
The 29-year-old Adelaide native, who was making his long-awaited return to singles competition after pectoral surgery in February 2025, withdrew from the Adelaide International earlier this week after aggravating the shoulder during his first-round win over Sebastian Korda. The setback forced him to forfeit his second-round match against Valentin Vacherot.
Kokkinakis shared the update in a heartfelt social media post: "After talking with my team & doctors, I've made the tough call to withdraw from @AustralianOpen singles. This was the event I was most excited for after a brutal year, but I'm not ready yet. We'll still push for doubles, though. ❤️"
The injury raises questions about his singles participation at Melbourne Park, where the tournament begins on Sunday. However, Kokkinakis remains optimistic about competing in doubles, potentially reuniting with longtime partner Nick Kyrgios.
Kokkinakis has a protected ranking for the Australian Open due to his extended layoff and has a history of strong showings in Melbourne, reaching the second round multiple times, including in 2025.
Fans and the tennis community have rallied around the popular "Special K," with many expressing support for his cautious approach to recovery.
Greek City Times will continue to follow developments as the Australian Open approaches.
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