Australian Open champs Thanasi Kokkinakis, Nick Kyrgios to team up again at Wimbledon
The wild (card) boys romped to their first major title in Melbourne earlier this year, and aim to do the same at the All England Club despite the best-of-five format.
WATCH: Kyrgios has played tremendous tennis on grass, pushing Hubert Hurkacz to the brink in Halle.
Surprise Australian Open doubles champions Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis will team up again at Wimbledon.
The two Aussies, who are both known more as singles players, are the No. 10 seeds in the men's doubles, which, uniquely for doubles events on tour, is best-of-five rather than best-of-three sets. That can be more demanding for those also playing singles, but the pair wanted to compete at another big event following their Slam triumph.
"We weren't sure if we were going to play this week," Kokkinakis told Wimbledon.com. "We had a bit of hesitation, being best of five sets. But we'll take it match by match.
"We’ll just have fun. We’ll just enjoy our time together."
He looks great. He looks like he's locked in. Obviously, Slams are tough but I think with his game and how comfortable he is on grass and how many matches he’s played, I think he can definitely make a big run here. Kokkinakis on Kyrgios
Kokkinakis says Kyrgios is looking sharp: the 27-year-old reached the semifinal in both Stuttgart and Halle, then withdrawing injured during this week's event in Mallorca.
"He looks great. He looks like he's locked in. Obviously, Slams are tough but I think with his game and how comfortable he is on grass and how many matches he’s played, I think he can definitely make a big run here," he said.
Kokkinakis isn't sure about his own level, having experienced yet another injury to his hip and knee at the Surbiton Challenger, which has left him lacking training.
"I’ve definitely prepared better for Slams, but I think come match day, I’ll be good to go and give it a crack," he said.
Kyrgios is No. 45 while Kokkinakis is No. 82 in the singles rankings.