"First year we took it serious" - Kokkinakis & Kyrgios ready to succeed in Turin

| by Sebastian Dahlman

Thanasi Kokkinakis is ready to compete at the 2022 ATP Finals in doubles but he misses one important person to be able to do so.

The Australian is in Turin without his doubles partner, Nick Kyrgios. Since Kyrgios played an exhibition event with Cameron Norrie in Mexico, he travelled to Turin a bit later than his doubles partner and so he joked about his absence, saying:

“I don’t want to give up too much time on the road" - Kyrgios on his schedule
“I don’t want to give up too much time on the road" - Kyrgios on his schedule

"Hopefully he comes at some point, hopefully he comes before the first match starts. That would help. We pretty much only play singles together. We try to serve well and use our singles strengths against the doubles guys."

The Australian also spoke about their unique approach to doubles as they are the only team at the 2022 ATP Finals that isn't purely a doubles pairing as they both focus mostly on singles.

"We've gotten better. We never really did well in doubles, on the main tour anyway but we did well and played with great energy. When we're relaxed and having fun, we play better. We pick the right moments to be focused and serious but I think when we're having fun and relaxed, we play really well," Kokkinakis said.

"It's always good playing with a friend first. We've known each other since we were nine or ten years old but this is the first year we took it serious and tried to win. I definitely think we're capable but everyone's capable here. Everyone's won Masters or big tournaments. It's not easy. It's a little bit different," concluded Kokkinakis.

Nick Kyrgios to lead Australian team at inaugural United Cup
Nick Kyrgios to lead Australian team at inaugural United Cup

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