Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis was overcome with emotion following a dramatic and hard-fought doubles victory alongside his long-time friend Nick Kyrgios at the Brisbane International. The win marked a powerful and emotional return to the court for Kokkinakis after nearly a year sidelined by a severe shoulder injury.
A Year of Struggle and Groundbreaking Surgery
The 29-year-old had not played a professional match since January 2023, following a radical surgical procedure. To repair his troublesome shoulder, surgeons attached a donor's Achilles tendon—a procedure Kokkinakis described as using "a dead man's achilles." He consulted with specialists worldwide, including Rafael Nadal's doctor, before opting for this unique solution after enduring persistent pain that repeatedly cut his comebacks short.
"I said I didn't want to keep doing what I was doing," Kokkinakis revealed. "Play one match, maybe have a big win, and then my arm was shot. I said, 'I don't care if I don't play again, because I'm not doing that again'. It was almost like a tease of what I can do, then I just have to pull out."
An Electrifying Victory on Return
Despite obvious early rust, the Australian duo, famously nicknamed the 'Special Ks', found their rhythm to secure a nail-biting 5-7, 6-4, 10-8 victory on Sunday night. Their opponents were the elite doubles pairing of Matt Ebden and Rajeev Ram. The match lasted 92 intense minutes, with Kokkinakis sealing the win on match point with a decisive smash.
Kokkinakis, who boasts a career-high singles ranking of 65 and a famous win over Roger Federer, surprised himself with his level of play. He rifled forehand winners and produced a clutch reflex volley, though he admitted his serve was not yet at its peak.
Emotional Release and an Uncertain Future
It was in the post-match interview that the weight of his 12-month ordeal hit him. "I've never really teared up after a doubles match," Kokkinakis said. "But all I've gone through in the last 12 months... a lot of surgeons, doctors." He described a lonely and challenging rehabilitation, with days where he believed he would never play again.
His partner, Nick Kyrgios, who is also returning from his own injury-plagued three years, understood the moment perfectly. "I understand how emotional it can be. People underestimate how much work goes into it," Kyrgios said. The pair won the Australian Open doubles title together in 2022 but have both been hampered by injuries since.
Looking ahead, Kokkinakis remains cautiously optimistic. "I don't know what my future holds, but I've done everything I can to give myself a chance," he stated. He is set to make his singles return at the Adelaide International next week. Kyrgios will begin his Brisbane singles campaign on Tuesday against American Aleksandar Kovacevic.
Reflecting on their unexpected level after such a long layoff, Kyrgios pondered the possibilities: "We were really surprised with our level. It's been a year... playing two of probably the best doubles players out there. Who knows what this year could look like for us, doubles wise?"
