South Australian tennis favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis has been forced to withdraw from the Adelaide International due to a shoulder complaint, placing his participation in the upcoming Australian Open in serious jeopardy.
Injury Strikes After Emotional Comeback Win
The 29-year-old's withdrawal comes just a day after his triumphant return to singles competition. Kokkinakis had been away from the singles tour for nearly 12 months, following pectoral surgery last February. In an emotional first-round match on Monday evening, he battled past American Sebastian Korda in a final-set tiebreak.
However, the victory came at a cost. Kokkinakis struggled with his right shoulder throughout the contest. After the match, he revealed the shoulder would likely require anti-inflammatory medication and intensive physiotherapy. He even conceded that if it weren't his home tournament, he probably would not have taken to the court for that first-round match.
A Different Pain, A Major Setback
This new shoulder issue is distinct from the pectoral problems that have long plagued the luckless athlete. Last year, Kokkinakis underwent a revolutionary surgical procedure where a donor's achilles tendon was knotted between his right pectoral muscle and shoulder.
His scheduled second-round opponent, Valentin Vacherot of Monaco, now receives a walkover straight into the quarter-finals. On social media platform X, a disappointed Kokkinakis posted: "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 love playing here. See you next year."
Australian Open Participation Now Hangs in the Balance
This development casts a significant shadow over Kokkinakis's plans for Melbourne Park. He holds a protected ranking to enter the Australian Open singles draw. Furthermore, he is scheduled to play doubles alongside fellow Australian and close friend Nick Kyrgios, adding another layer of complication to his injury setback.
The coming days will be critical for the Adelaide native as he and his medical team assess the severity of the shoulder injury. Fans across Australia will be hoping for positive news, allowing one of the country's most popular players to compete on home soil in the year's first Grand Slam.
