Thanasi Kokkinakis ill fortune continues after suffering unfortunate setback at worst time possible

Saturday, 15 August 2026 at 12:00

A dramatic ending was in store for the tie between Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nuno Borges in a first round thriller at the Cincinnati Open. The Aussie was pushed to the limit and beyond as he fell to the floor with a painful dose of cramp just before being dumped out in a third set tiebreak.

Kokkinakis, whose injury issues have been noted throughout the years with numerous setbacks, was hopeful of making an impression in Cincinnati. It was his first appearance since 2023 with the 30-year-old having not tasted a win in the Masters 1000 tournament in Ohio since 2015.

It was his first Masters 1000 participation of the year after he failed to qualify for the Canadian Open beforehand, predictably retiring in a theme that has hampered his career.

He was relishing a tie against Borges with the winner set to the 20th seed Francisco Cerundolo in the second round. It would be the Portuguese who prevailed as he continued his fine form following his last-16 run in Montreal. He won 5-7, 7-6(3), 7-6(4) in a tie that ended with a touch of drama.

Kokkinakis stumbles to floor in agony

It was Kokkinakis who nicked the first breakthrough in a positive purple patch. After 11 consecutive holds without a break point even coming close to becoming reality, Kokkinakis finally created one right at the end of the first set and converted it successfully.

This soon improved to a set and break lead after taking a 3-0 lead. However, Borges finally rallied and got back level at 3-3. A tiebreak was needed and Borges triumphed in formidable fashion. winning seven of the last eight points following going down 0-2 to force a third set decider.

Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Miami Open in action

Thanasi Kokkinakis has a hefty injury list in his tennis career

Aside from the second game in which Borges wasted a 0-40 lead, another 12 holds forced a predictable tiebreak for the second time in the match. As the match closed in on the three hour mark, it was visible that Kokkinakis was struggling.

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He kept tabs with his opponent in the tiebreak, but at 5-4 it all became too much. Borges hit a forehand down the line, but to his surprise an empty court. Beforehand, Kokkinakis has landed on his right leg before tumbling to the ground in serious agony.

Borges trudged to the other side of the court with a couple of match points firmly on the forefront of his mind, with a medic also coming to Kokkinakis aid. “Press my calf, press my right calf,” he said, still in a lot of pain. “Gently, gently,” he pleaded.

Battle royale 👉 battle of attrition 😔

Borges defeats Kokkinakis in a third-set tiebreak and the crowd appreciates both warriors at #CincyTennis 🙌 pic.twitter.com/XY8abGbcUi
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) August 14, 2026

He eventually got up but was unable to pose much more of a challenge. A weak serve was followed by a shanked forehand and the end of the road for his Masters 1000 return. Kokkinakis gingerly wandered over to the net, limping as he again has to deal with another setback to add to his ever-growing list in 2026.

Lucas MichaelTennis Journalist

Lucas Michael is a tennis journalist based in Cambridge, UK, specializing in comprehensive coverage of the ATP and WTA tours. For the past 1.5 years, he has been a core contributor to TennisUpToDate, where he has authored more than 3,000 data-driven match reports, deep-dive analysis pieces, and engaging liveblogs.

Lucas pairs real-time statistical analysis with on-the-ground reporting, frequently traveling to tournaments to cover the action firsthand from the press box and player press conferences. This blend of advanced metrics and direct access allows him to provide sharp context regarding player form, tactical trends, and breaking tour developments.

He holds a BA (Hons) in Sports Journalism. Grounded in core journalistic ethics, Lucas places a strict emphasis on meticulous sourcing, editorial accuracy, and a commitment to updating live content swiftly as verified information emerges.

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