In a year where he has only been able to play one competitive match due to injury issues, Thanasi Kokkinakis can’t wait for the end of 2016.
Once tipped as the next big thing in Australian tennis, the 20-year-old has had to contend with shoulder surgery followed by a Groin and a pectoral injury within the past 12 months. His sole appearance this year occurred at the Rio Olympics Games where he was knocked out in the first round by Portugal’s Gastao Elias. As a result of his absence, Kokkinakis is currently without a ranking on the ATP Tour.
“It was the worst year of my life, for sure,” he said. “I don’t want to be dramatic but it was, it was absolutely horrendous.
“Really there was nothing positive about it, apart from playing the Olympics which was a cool experience.”
Prior to his injuries, the Adelaide-born player displayed glimpses of his talent by peaking at a high of 69th on the ATP Emirates rankings in 2015. His biggest title to date has occurred on the clay in France when he won the Bordeaux Open, an ATP Challenger event. On the same surface he achieved his best grand slam result by reaching the third round at Roland Garros later that year.
How’s this for an epic selfie
105 #Suncorp ballkids ➕ @TKokkinakis #BrisbaneTennis pic.twitter.com/Zxhy8YdTVh
— Brisbane Intl (@BrisbaneTennis) 29 December 2016
Kokkinakis’ long-awaited return to the tour will occur next week at the Brisbane Open. Cautious about how his body will fair, the 20-year-old has opted to play only in the doubles tournament with compatriot Jordan Thompson. His planned return to Singles competition is scheduled to occur the week after at the Apia International Sydney.
“The shoulder’s been really good. The past few months it’s made big improvements, and I’m feeling really good,’’ Kokkinakis told Fox Sports Australia.
“It’s been a bit of groin stuff. It’s been my fourth injury this year, one after the other. But I’ll get there.
““I’m going to try and play doubles here (Brisbane), obviously with Jordan. I’m going to try and start my singles in Sydney. See how the body pulls up. It’s not 100 per cent but it’s getting really close now and it’s the best I’ve felt in a long time.” He later added.
The return to the tour from by 20-year-old comes as the Australian Open swiftly approaches. Should he appear at the first major of 2017, it would be Kokkinakis’ first grand slam match in almost 16 months. Fitness doubts remain for the Australian, but he is refusing to let it hold him back.
“It’s pretty stupid to think I can go best of five (sets) but I’m pretty stubborn,” he said.
“At the moment I’m just trying to wake up each morning and feel no aches.”
Kokkinakis’ first tournament of the new year, the Brisbane Open, will begin on Sunday 1st January.
