(VIDEO) Kokkinakis riles up crowd in Manchester by picking Chelsea as his favourite football team at Davis Cup

Saturday, 16 September 2023 at 22:30

Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Miami Open in action

Kokkinakis got the crowd in Manchester excited when he declared Chelsea as his favorite football team during the Davis Cup.

Team Australia visited Manchester for the Davis Cup, where they shared the group with the local teams of Great Britain, France, and Switzerland. The team led by Lleyton Hewitt was the first one to secure their qualification to the Finals in Malaga at the end of the year.

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After losing the series against the local team (1-2), Australia secured a victory against France (2-1) and closed with a win against Switzerland (3-0). As a result, the last spot in their group will be decided on Sunday between the French and the British.

In the first singles match of the day, world No. 74 Thanasi Kokkinakis won his match against Dominic Stricker with a score of 6-3, 7-5, putting behind his recent loss to Jack Draper (6-7, 6-3, 7-6).

During the on-court interview after the match, the interviewer asked Kokkinakis whether he prefers Manchester United or Manchester City, the two main teams in the city. The Australian surprised everyone by responding with "Chelsea," a team from London, which caused a reaction from the audience.

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Manchester City or Manchester United? @TKokkinakis: Chelsea 🤫 #DavisCup @ChelseaFC

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2:09 PM · Sep 16, 2023

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The series against Switzerland was a celebration for the Australians, who had excellent performances from each of their players. First, there was Kokkinakis' victory over world No. 90 Dominick Stricker in the first match of the day.

Then, world No. 101 Marc-Andre Husler faced off against Alex de Minaur (12th), with another comfortable win for the Australians, 6-4, 6-3 in just 73 minutes.

In the final match, Max Purcell and Mathew Ebden defeated the Swiss duo of Stricker and Husler 6-2, 6-4 in 74 minutes, securing an ideal 3-0 victory that earns them a spot in the Final 8 in Malaga at the end of the year.

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Cristhián AvilaTennis Journalist

Cristhián Ávila is a tennis journalist based in Santiago, Chile, and has been part of the TennisUpToDate team since early 2023. He covers the ATP and WTA Tours as well as all four Grand Slams, producing breaking news, match reports, analysis, and regular liveblogs from major tournaments.

His reporting combines statistical analysis with clear explanation, helping readers understand tactical developments, player form, and broader storylines across the tour. Working fluently in both Spanish and English, Cristhián collaborates with an international editorial team and contributes to comprehensive global coverage. As part of his work, he has conducted interviews and media interactions with leading figures in the sport, including Caroline Wozniacki and John McEnroe.

In his journalism, Cristhián places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available. His coverage is grounded in research, context, and direct engagement with professional tennis.

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