Thanasi Kokkinakis missed almost the entirety of the 2025 season due to injury.
Needing ‘risky’ surgery to sort the problem, expectations weren’t high for Kokkinakis when he returned.
Proving the doubters wrong, Kokkinakis defeated Sebastian Korda, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, to win his first match in 364 days.
There were, however, concerns for the Australian during his first-round match at the Adelaide International, as he needed treatment in the second set.
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During his post-match press conference, Kokkinakis shared an update on his fitness levels.
Thanasi Kokkinakis says injury worry puts a ‘dampener on the win’ in Adelaide
Kokkinakis was asked about the pain he felt in the second set of his win over Korda.
“Yeah, it’s tough. Obviously, my right arm caused by serving, has plagued me my whole career. There’s a lot of what ifs, especially in my mind, if I wasn’t struggling with that,” he said.
“I know little niggles are normal here and there, but I feel like kind of what I’ve gone through is a little bit out of the normal.
“It’s tough mentally. I spent all year rehabbing, trying to get it right. I had surgery. It was like a slightly different pain to last year.
“I’ll see how I wake up tomorrow.
“But, yeah, it’s tough. It puts a dampener on the win for sure.”
Kokkinakis was concerned about his arm but happy with his performance, winning his first match since the 2025 Australian Open.
“Obviously, I know my tennis is in a good spot,” he said.
“I’ve been practicing really well. It’s just the arm and the shoulder that I just need to try and get right, and I’m doing everything I can to do that.
“I don’t think it’s alarm bells just yet. It is my first match back in 12 months. I’m just trying to build my way up. I haven’t played three sets since I played [Jack] Draper at AO.
- 2025 Australian Open 2R – Jack Draper defeated Thanasi Kokkinakis, 6-7, 6-3, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3
“Not even really in practice. This is a step up
“To come off 12 months and beat such a good player like Sebi [Korda], it’s good for my tennis, but I just need my arm to kind of follow.”
The 29-year-old was hesitant to celebrate too much despite winning in front of his home crowd.
“I felt like I was in autopilot mode. Usually, I would be celebrating and probably yelling by the end of it,” said Kokkinakis.
“Obviously, I’m happy that I won, but, yeah, most of my focus is on how my arm is going to be.”
Kokkinakis will hope to be fully fit for his second-round match on Wednesday, January 14, where he is scheduled to take on Monaco’s Valentin Vacherot.
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After losing his first match of the season in Brisbane, Vacherot bounced back in Adelaide, winning his opener against Miomir Kecmanovic.
Only time will tell who will emerge victorious when Kokkinakis and Vacherot battle it out for a place in the quarterfinals.
Thankful Thanasi Kokkinakis posts message on social media
Taking a breather after winning his first match of the season, Kokkinakis later took to Instagram, sharing this message with his 330,000 followers.
“There’s nothing like playing at home,” he said.
“Thank you, Adelaide.”
Kokkinakis has fond memories of the Adelaide International, having won the title back in 2022.
Thanasi Kokkinakis at the 2022 Adelaide International
| Round | Opponent | Result | Score |
| 1R | Benoit Paire | WIN | 6-4, 6-0 |
| 2R | John Isner | WIN | 6-7, 7-6, 7-6 |
| QF | Aleksandar Vukic | WIN | 6-7, 6-3, 6-2 |
| SF | Marin Cilic | WIN | 6-2, 3-6, 7-6 |
| F | Arthur Rinderknech | WIN | 6-7, 7-6, 6-3 |
Winning four consecutive three-set matches, Kokkinakis lifted the one-and-only title of his professional career.
Whether he can repeat the feat in 2026 remains to be seen.
Whatever happens in Adelaide, Kokkinakis will want to stay healthy for as long as possible.
Last year, Kokkinakis didn’t play at all after the Australian summer.
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This time around, Kokkinakis will want to complete a full season on tour and see how high he can reach in the world rankings.
Kokkinakis is currently ranked 670th in the world.
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