‘I’m stoked’: Kokkinakis makes triumphant Davis Cup return
Thanasi Kokkinakis’ stunning summer has caught the eye of Davis Cup captain Lleyton Hewitt, who has recalled the Australian Open men’s doubles champion for next month’s qualifier clash with Hungary in Sydney.
Kokkinakis will join Australian No.1 Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin and doubles specialists John Peers and Luke Saville in his first Davis Cup match since 2015.
Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios.Credit:AP Photo/Simon Baker
The remarkable return to the national team will be without his close friend Nick Kyrgios, who hasn’t played in the teams’ tournament since 2019 – the same year he missed selection for “failing cultural standards”.
Kyrgios’ Davis Cup exile may end soon, though, as sources with knowledge of the situation said Hewitt approached the 26-year-old regarding a return during his run alongside Kokkinakis to the men’s doubles title.
Kokkinakis’ selection for the March 4 and 5 tie comes after seven years spent battling injury and illness.
“I’m obviously stoked to get the call-up from Lleyton. It’s been a long time since I’ve played Davis Cup,” Kokkinakis said.
“It’s a pretty cool feeling putting on those colours and playing for Australia. That atmosphere is unmatched, it’s a great reward for the summer I’ve had, for me and my team, and all the hard work I’ve put in.”
Kyrgios will resume life on the later road later this month after setting his sights on an ATP 250 tournament in Delray Beach, Florida.
After the American hardcourt swing, Kyrgios will skip the clay court season for the fifth straight year.
Kyrgios last featured at the French Open in 2017, and has repeatedly expressed his disdain for playing on the high-bouncing, slow surface which suits players who relish long baseline duels.
“It’s not something that appeals to me any more,” Kyrgios said earlier this year.
“Early on in my career when I didn’t really have a choice, I was just grinding and grinding and grinding
“I actually had some great results on clay. I actually didn’t mind playing on clay.
“I think my game style actually suits the dirt. But at this point of my career I’m not going to be having 30-ball rallies against Diego Schwartzman.”
Unless there is a dramatic shift in his thinking, sources close to Kyrgios believe he will skip the clay season for the remainder of his career.
While Kyrgios has chopped and changed his schedule several times at late notice in the last two years, he is eager to play the American hardcourt swing, which begins in Florida later this month.
After a handful of tournaments in the United States, the Australian star will likely spend some time at home before ramping up for Wimbledon with tournaments on his preferred surface – grass.
Meanwhile, de Minaur will prepare for Davis Cup qualifiers with a trip to the Netherlands and the UAE.
He flew out of Australia on Friday for an ATP 500 tournament in Rotterdam next week, and plans to play in Dubai before returning to Australia to lead the Davis Cup side.
After taking on Hungarian No.1 Martin Fuscovics at Ken Rosewall Arena, de Minaur will turn his attention to the American hardcourt swing, where he will feature in ATP 1000 events in Indian Wells and Miami.
Kokkinakis, meanwhile, is due to leave Australia at the end of next week and head to Florida, where he will take part in the Delray Beach tournament alongside Kyrgios.
After Florida, Kokkinakis will set his sights on Acapulco before joining de Minaur for the American hardcourt swing in Indian Wells.
New Australian Open champion Ash Barty is yet to decide on her upcoming schedule.
The world No. 1 will next week sit down with her team to map out her path between now and the next grand slam, at Roland Garros.
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