“It’s gonna be hard to repeat that result”: Thanasi Kokkinakis stays composed over doubles reunion with Nick Kyrgios

Thanasi Kokkinakis is already anticipating his doubles reunion with Nick Kyrgios at the Australian Open. The Australian duo had a stellar 2022 together, securing their first doubles Grand Slam title and even qualifying for the ATP Finals. However, Kyrgios’ long absence from the tour prevented them from continuing their partnership.

Now, with the announcement of the former Wimbledon runner-up's return in 2025, one of his first declarations was that he would revive his partnership with close friend Kokkinakis at the season's first major. The world No. 77 shared his excitement about teaming up again.

Although Kyrgios and Kokkinakis haven't played many doubles events throughout their careers, their 2022 partnership was particularly fruitful. Local fans were thrilled to see an all-Aussie men’s doubles final that year, with Kokkinakis/Kyrgios facing specialists Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell.

The duo won the final in straight sets and later went on to claim the ATP 250 Atlanta Open title in July 2022. Their impressive run earned them a spot at the ATP Finals, where they were eliminated in the Round Robin stage, marking their last appearance as a team.

Upon arriving in Adelaide, the current world No. 77 expressed his pleasure at reuniting with Kyrgios ahead of the Australian Open. “It’s going to be fun. It’s always a bit of a circus when we play together, especially three years ago,” he said.

“It’s crazy. We haven’t stepped a foot on a court since that we played the ATP Finals, which was cool. It’s always a unique experience playing with him. Obviously, his tennis speaks for itself,” Kokkinakis added. “But he’s a different character. We talk a bit of rubbish when we’re outh there.”

When asked what fans can expect from their partnership, Kokkinakis admitted he doesn’t have high expectations and noted how difficult it would be to replicate their previous success. “We’ll see, as I said, Three years ago, we didn’t expect it. The momentum kind of just kept building so that was fun. I don’t know—it’s gonna be hurt to repeat that result, for sure. I think everyone’s going to be very hungry to kind of play us and beat us in the first round or at any point. But I’m excited.”

Nick Kyrgios tested his doubles game last week at the Brisbane International, where he formed an unexpected partnership with 24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic. They secured a first-round win but were defeated in the next match by the top seeds Nikola Mektic and Michael Venus. On Kokkinakis' side, his last doubles match was at the US Open last August, where he partnered with Tallon Griekspoor, but they were eliminated in the first round.