"Nick sent me memes 5 minutes before the match" - Kokkinakis on meeting good friend Kyrgios
ATP
Thanasi Kokkinakis had to meet his very good friend and doubles partner in the first round of the 2022 US Open, and after the match, he explained why it was difficult for him to get heated up.
The 2022 Australian Open doubles champions finished off the first day at the Arthur Ashe Stadium. Their match was the last one on the schedule after Serena Williams played her first-round match.
Fans were hoping for a five-set show, but Kyrgios beat his very good friend Kokkinakis only in three sets, 6-3, 6-4, 7-6(4). After the match, both players spoke about how difficult it was for them to approach this match.
Kyrgios admitted that he didn't want to look at his opponent. By doing that, he wanted to ignore the fact that he played his good friend.
Kokkinakis, on the other hand, struggled to "get fired up." He even admitted that Kyrgios was sending him memes only five minutes before their match started.
"It was hard to get fired up, hard to get excited about the game. In the locker room, we were already talking nonsense. Nick sent me memes five minutes before the match, so when you enter the court, it's hard to be excited."
Kokkinakis tried to compete to the best of his capabilities, but he couldn't motivate himself as much as he would be able to if he faced someone who he didn't like, for example. He knows he can produce a better level, but he didn't have it against Kyrgios.
"We compete, of course, but it's hard to have that inner fire. I couldn't have my usual intensity, it felt like a practice match. It was frustrating, I know I can play better."
After Kokkinakis left the singles draw, he will team up with Kyrgios to play against Hugo Gaston and Lorenzo Musetti in doubles.
