Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis feared that his career was over following his latest injury problem.
The 22-year-old sustained a knee injury during the Monte Carlo Masters following a freak fall. Kokkinakis tripped over one of the paddings at the back on the court used for advertising. Forcing injury-prone player to be on crutches. Fortunately, it was just a badly bruised knee cap that he sustained. Although when doctors advised him that further medical assessments would be required on his knee, Kokkinakis dabbled with the prospect of quitting the sport altogether.
“Every time I freak out a little bit and when they tested me for an ACL … well I thought that was me done,” Kokkinakis said earlier this week at the Surbiton Trophy Challenger.
“They were fearing the worst, and so was I to be honest given my injury history, because it swelled up so much.
“I would have pulled the pin for sure. For a couple of years at least. I would have probably only come back if I was bored.
“But thankfully it came back all clear and I just need to keep fit now.”
Since being ranked as high as 69th in the world, the Australian has been hampered by a series of injury problems. Prior to his knee issue, he has undergone shoulder surgery, suffered from torn pectoral problems and groin injuries. Between 2016-2017, he was only able to play in 11 tournaments. One in 2016 and ten in 2017.
Despite the scare, Kokkinakis returned to the tour at the French Open. Losing in the second round of qualifying to Estonia’s Jurgen Zopp. This week he kicked-started his grass season in Surbiton, but fell at the first hurdle. Crashing out of the first round in straight sets to third seed Yuki Bhambri. After his latest loss, Kokkinakis admitted that he is experiencing problems with his motivation on the tour.
“It’s tough, I have been struggling to find my motivation as I’ve been in a cycle of rehab for so long,” he said.
“When I am out there playing, sometimes I’m into it and sometimes I am not where I need to be.
“When I beat Federer that was when I had a complete run at it. I played four successive tournaments for the first time in a long, long time.
“Hard and clay are my best surface but I beat (Milos) Raonic at Queens last year so I can do well on grass too.”
Kokkinakis, who defeated Roger Federer at the Miami Masters earlier this year, will next play in the qualifying draw for the upcoming Libema Open this weekend.
