Nick Kyrgios has had the talent to be a Grand Slam champion for many years, yet the Australian only achieved the feat this year, and it happened in the doubles with Thanasi Kokkinakis.
The Grand Slam win came at the 2022 Australian Open, which is very special for Kyrgios, who is known to love everything about Australia. Winning it with his longtime best friend, Thanasi Kokkinakis, made it even more special for him.
The duo received a wild card, and already in the second round of the tournament, they faced a difficult test. After beating fellow compatriots Alex Bolt and James McCabe 6-4, 6-2, the Australians overcame the top-seeded pair Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic 7-6(8), 6-3.
No one was then seemingly able to stop the Australian duo as they beat Ariel Behar and Gonzalo Escobar 6-4, 4-6, 6-4, Tim Puetz and Michael Venus 7-5, 3-6, 6-3, and also Marcelo Granollers and Horacio Zeballos 7-6(4), 6-4.
In the final, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis overpowered Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell, 7-5, 6-4. For Kokkinakis, it was the start of his resurgence that came this year after the Australian battled many injuries over the years.
It was a good confidence builder for Kyrgios himself as he reached the Indian Wells quarterfinal after that while also playing some smashing tennis in Miami. Asked about his Australian Open triumph and whether it changed his mindset, Kyrgios said:
"Not really, I took the first flight out of Melbourne and went to go hoop in Sydney. It’s obviously good vibes having you know, Grand Slam on my belt. I take it day by day. I’m super happy with that achievement, but you know, put that behind me. I just want some good energy every day and hopefully, I get better.”
The Australian is currently on break and he won't return until the clay season passes.