2022 Champions Kyrgios & Kokkinakis Set For Australian Open Reunion
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Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis will play doubles together again at the 2025 Australian Open.
In 2022, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, now famously called the Special K's, entered the doubles draw for the Australian Open. It wasn't their first time, as they entered thanks to a wild card three times before.
In 2013, they lost in the opening round. In 2015, they lost in their first match as well, and in 2021, they finally managed to win their first match as a team at the Australian Open, before losing again in the second round.
In total, they played doubles at the event three times, and out of four matches, they won only one. But in 2022, things were different, and it started already in the early rounds.
In the first round, the Special K's beat fellow Australian wild cards Alex Bolt and James McCabe to set up a second-round matchup with the top-seeded team, Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis stunningly beat the World No. 1 team, advancing to the third round of the Melbourne Slam. Encouraged by the win over the top seeds, the Australian duo continued cruising through the draw.
Out of nowhere, they found themselves in the final of the doubles competition, taking on compatriots Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell. Two sets later, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis were lifting the winners' trophy above their heads.
Unfortunately, they haven't appeared together on the doubles court since 2022. In 2023, they were set for a reunion at Wimbledon, but Kyrgios' continued injury struggles kept him out of competition.
In 2025, however, Kyrgios will return to the tennis courts in Australia, and the duo confirmed that they will play doubles together "one last time."
Kyrgios announced the news via his Instagram profile, while Kokkinakis spoke to 7News Melbourne about the reunion of the Special K's, admitting that while they will compete in the doubles tournament, it will not be a priority for them.
"It’s definitely not going to be the priority for us [but] we feel like we owe it to people to get back out there and have some fun. It’s not something we’ve practised. I think I’ve played maybe three doubles matches, it feels like, since I played with him…"
Naturally, both Kyrgios and Kokkinakis are singles players, and while having success in doubles is certainly great for them, neither of the two will want doubles to distract from their singles campaigns.
At the end of the day, one of the reasons why their sensational 2022 run was possible was because they both lost very early in their singles matches.
Kokkinakis also briefly spoke about Kyrgios' comeback. The 28-year-old was obviously delighted about his friend's comeback to the ATP Tour.
"It’s going to be great for tennis, great for fans in Australia, and fans all over the world [to have Kyrgios back]. He’s a different cat. Obviously, he has a different sort of energy about him, and he’s a hell of a player."
