Australian tennis favourites Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis have marked their long-awaited return as a duo with a thrilling three-set victory at the Brisbane International. The pair, famously known as the 'Special Ks', defeated the experienced combination of Matt Ebden and Rajeev Ram 5-7, 6-4, 10-8 in a captivating Sunday night match that lasted over ninety minutes.
Emotional Victory After Injury Battles
The win held profound significance for both players, who have spent recent years grappling with serious injuries that threatened their careers. For Thanasi Kokkinakis, this was his first competitive match in nearly a year following major shoulder surgery. The procedure involved attaching a donor's Achilles tendon to repair the damage.
Overcome with emotion during his post-match interview, Kokkinakis revealed the mental toll of his recovery. "It's crazy... there were no guarantees I'd be back playing. There were a lot of times I thought the game was done for me," he said, before tears welled up and he was consoled by Kyrgios.
Nick Kyrgios has also battled severe knee and wrist issues for over three years. The 30-year-old described the shared experience of nearly having their careers taken away. "The sport of tennis was almost taken away from both of us," Kyrgios stated. "To come back out here and [play like that] - our level was insane."
On-Court Drama and Signature Flair
The match itself was a rollercoaster, showcasing the unique chemistry that propelled the pair to the 2022 Australian Open men's doubles title. After dropping the first set, they found their rhythm in the second.
The entertainment factor was high, including an incident where a ball boy was struck by a stray Kyrgios forehand. The resilient youngster quickly gave a thumbs-up, prompting commentator and former player John Millman to quip, "He got falconed there. We breed them tough in Queensland."
Both Australians delivered several breathtaking shots that drew gasps from the crowd, reminding fans of their unpredictable and explosive style. The decisive match tie-break tested Kyrgios's fitness in extended rallies, but the duo held their nerve to secure the comeback win.
Looking Ahead to Singles and Doubles Campaigns
The victory sets up a second-round clash for the 'Special Ks' against French pair Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul. Kyrgios will now turn his attention to his singles campaign, where he faces Aleksandar Kovacevic on Tuesday afternoon after a rest day on Monday.
Kokkinakis provided further insight into his challenging recovery in the press conference, describing the unpredictable nature of rehabbing with "a dead man's Achilles." "There's been days it's been okay and others where I've thought, 'There's no chance I'm playing again'," he admitted. "I don't know what my future holds, but I've done everything I can to give myself a chance."
The successful return in Brisbane is a crucial stepping stone for both players as they build form, with Kyrgios particularly eyeing a potential wildcard entry into the upcoming Australian Open. Their dramatic win proves that despite the time away, their ability to entertain and compete at the highest level remains undimmed.
