Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios will reunite on the doubles court at the Australian Open in January, three years after winning the men’s doubles title as wildcards.
The Aussie duo go way back, becoming friends as juniors. As Kokkinakis told Express Sport, it means they’ve enjoyed plenty of “rowdy” nights out together.
But the world No. 77 has revealed that the one time they had something huge to celebrate, he was left to fend for himself as Kyrgios ditched the festivities.
Kokkinakis and Kyrgios went on an epic run at their home Grand Slam back in 2022 after receiving a wildcard into the men’s doubles main draw. They beat three top-10 teams en route to the title, including world No. 1s Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic.
The long-time friends, who dubbed themselves the ‘Special Ks’, became the first all-Australian male duo to lift the trophy in 25 years. During their victory ceremony, Kyrgios promised some big things for the celebratory night out.
“I know this big boy is going to be out tonight so ladies, let’s go,” he told a packed Rod Laver Arena crowd, digging his partner out. But the former world No. 13 never made it out into Melbourne that evening.
Reflecting on their 2022 triumph, Kokkinakis told Express Sport: “I remember a fun night afterwards that he wasn’t a part of because he took an early flight the next morning which I’m still p***ed off with him about! So I had to do it for the both of us.”
The celebrations weren’t the only thing the 28-year-old remembered. “And just a crazy atmosphere, had a lot of Australia talking about it which was cool,” he added.
“Changed the perception of doubles I think a little bit around Australia or around the world with a little bit more atmosphere and energy.”
But, in typical Aussie fashion, there was a shoey involved. “And I remember a few fans drinking beer out of a shoe,” Kokkinakis laughed.
Kyrgios did make it up to his pal, as the former Adelaide champion confirmed they had since gone out on the town to mark their Australian Open victory. He continued: “It’s weird because it got really delayed.
“I was trying to convince him because I was like, ‘We’ve celebrated nothing many times so the one time we actually had a reason to celebrate, we didn’t do it.’ But we’ve had a few nights.
“They’ve changed. They used to be long and pretty rowdy, and now they’re rowdy but a bit shorter. We’re getting older, he’s settled down. It’s all of that.”
Kyrgios isn’t the only player Kokkinakis has gone out with. When Team Europe beat Team World in Berlin earlier this year, the Australian asked Alexander Zverev for club recommendations but was taken aback by what was suggested.
Luckily the teams went elsewhere, and Kokkinakis admitted that some of his rivals surprised him. “We didn’t end up going to that place! Because that place was pretty full on,” he explained.
“After Laver Cup we had a fun night in Germany with all the Team Europe guys. I don’t want to single anyone out in particular but [Daniil] Medvedev was funny that night, Carlos [Alcaraz] was.
“I’ve known Sascha for a long time and I’ve known the Americans like Taylor [Fritz], [Frances] Tiafoe, all of those guys. I knew Carlos liked to have fun for sure.
“You can tell, he’s always got a smile on his face. Medvedev sometimes is pretty serious on court but it was nice seeing him have a bit more fun. I’m not going to dig too deep but I think everyone just got along.”
But Kyrgios is still his favourite guy to go out with. “I probably know Nick a little better so I’d say Nick,” Kokkinakis smiled.
Content Source: www.express.co.uk