Nick Kyrgios responds after Thanasi Kokkinakis makes controversial comments in Australian Open press conference

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Two of the biggest names in Australian tennis recently got their Grand Slam campaigns underway.

Having spent 18 months on the sidelines, tennis fans were eagerly anticipating Nick Kyrgios’ return to Grand Slam tennis at the Australian Open.

Kyrgios lost to Jacob Fearnley in straight sets, as the Aussie struggled with injury throughout their first-round contest.

According to the 29-year-old, Kyrgios may never play singles at the Australian Open again, instead focusing on doubles.

Doubles that he will likely play with Thanasi Kokkinakis, who had a very different experience during his first-round match at this year’s tournament.

Kokkinakis beat Russia’s Roman Safiullin 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6, as he booked his place in the second round of the Australian Open for the fourth time in his career.

It was after his match, however, that the ATP star controversially fired back at some of his critics.

Thanasi Kokkinakis fires back at Todd Woodbridge for his recent comments on the Aussies schedule

In his post-match press conference, Kokkinakis was asked for his thoughts on Todd Woodbridge’s recent comments about his exhibition schedule.

“That’s fine, [he’s] trying to make a good living, as well,” he said.

“That’s why he’s trying to host every game show there is under the sun, we’re trying to make a living as much as he is.”

“Unfortunately, ATP sometimes, if you make a semi final of a 250 event, you don’t get as much as what you would playing an exhibition.

“Sometimes you got to weigh up your options as far as trying to do what’s best for your career, best for the ranking.

“It’s a tricky one, obviously it’s a lot less stress on my body, a lot less stress mentally, I missed a lot of years and a lot of money not playing with injuries and whatnot.”

Kokkinakis withdrew from the Adelaide International, at the quarter-final stage as he picked up an injury that continued to affect him during his first-round match in Melbourne.

Woodbridge, a 16-time Grand Slam doubles champion had argued that Kokkinakis’ heavy schedule, playing Challenger Tour and exhibition events may have contributed to his latest injury, something the world number 71 strongly disagrees with.

“If I have opportunities that come up, Laver Cup is an incredible opportunity I couldn’t turn down,” he said.

“Obviously played a lot of Davis Cup as well, which no one mentioned, I’m competing for Australia, as well, that didn’t really get mentioned in his article.

“Also just it’s tough when people comment when they have no idea about the injury or what sort of tennis I’m playing, I haven’t lost this year.

“Yes, I picked up something, but it has nothing to do with my off-season.”

Kokkinakis helped Australia reach the Davis Cup semi-finals in Malaga in 2024, as they lost to Italy for the second year running.

Nick Kyrgios defends Thanasi Kokkinakis on social media against ‘jealous’ critics

Never one to shy away from controversy, Kyrgios quickly took to Instagram to defend his friend and doubles partner.

“Facts,” he said.

“We out here earning six/seven figures at these ‘exos’ – we have every right to go and get that money.

“The game is much more physical now than when some of these older heads played.

“Don’t be jealous we earning bread, we earned it.

“With you, Thanasi Kokkinakis.”

Kokkinakis and Kyrgios are set to play doubles together at this year’s Australian Open and will kick their campaign off against another Aussie duo, Aleksandar Vukic, and James Duckworth.

Can Thanasi Kokkinakis finally reach the third round of the Australian Open?

Away from the controversy, Kokkinakis will be hoping that his fitness holds up for his second-round match against Brit Jack Draper.

A win in the second round would be his first in six attempts, as the Aussie has continued to struggle at his home tournament.

The 28-year-old has suffered several heart-breaking defeats in Melbourne, perhaps the worst of which came in 2023, when Kokkinakis lost to Andy Murray in a match that finished at four in the morning.

He’ll be hoping to come out on top when he plays Draper in the second round, but is more than aware of the task at hand.

“Obviously a great player, I think he’s around 15 or something in the world, he’s going from strength to strength,” said Kokkinakis.

“We’ve had three matches maybe, he’s won two, I’ve won one, all extremely tight matches.

“Yeah, going to be a battle for sure, hopefully the body pulls up all right and I can give it my best.”

Kokkinakis will play Draper for a place in the third round on Wednesday, January 15.