Thanasi Kokkinakis’ Journey Back to Tennis
Australian tennis player Thanasi Kokkinakis is setting his sights on a return to the professional circuit by 2026, following a groundbreaking surgery he underwent earlier this year to address a nagging pectoral injury on his right shoulder. This injury had plagued him for several years, hindering his performance, and leading to his last appearance on the ATP tour during a doubles match with fellow countryman Nick Kyrgios at the Australian Open. Unfortunately, both players were sidelined by injuries and could not finish their first-round contest.
Groundbreaking Surgery
Faced with the severity of his condition, Kokkinakis opted for a radical surgical procedure that had never been performed on a tennis player; this involved the transplantation of a deceased donor’s Achilles tendon into his shoulder. Completed in February, this unconventional approach came with no guarantees of a successful recovery and was necessary to avoid a bleak future where he could only manage one match per week, effectively ending his career.
“The surgery I did is risky. No tennis player has ever undergone something like this before. I spoke with several surgeons who were hesitant to proceed, but I felt it was vital to take this chance to continue my career,” Kokkinakis admitted.
He described the mental strain he experienced, believing he had reached a ‘do-or-die’ juncture in his professional life.
Plans for a Comeback
As the Australian summer approaches, Kokkinakis is hopeful for a gradual return to competition. He plans to kick off his comeback by participating in doubles matches at the Brisbane International, with aspirations to shift into singles play in Adelaide, ultimately eyeing the prestigious Australian Open thereafter.
“If everything goes smoothly and I’m in the right condition, I hope to be ready for the Aussie Open. I expect it will take until mid-year to be at my best, but I’m eager to step back on the court,” he stated.
Teaming Up with Nick Kyrgios
Kokkinakis, a former doubles champion at his home Grand Slam in 2022 alongside Kyrgios, is excited about the prospect of teaming up again.
“Assuming all goes well, we would love to make another run at the Aussie Open. The crowd enjoys our partnership, and we didn’t get the chance to perform to our potential last time due to our injuries,” he remarked.
Kyrgios, who has his own battles with injuries and has not competed on the ATP tour since July, seems poised to join Kokkinakis for another attempt at capturing the title at their home event, highlighting a shared determination between the two young athletes.
