What did Thanasi Kokkinakis say about Nick Kyrgios?
Thanasi Kokkinakis discussed what his match tonight against Nick Kyrgios will look like at the US Open. ‘He loves to live in the chaos in the game.’
Australians Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis star in one of the most anticipated matches on the opening day of the US Open. The ‘Special K’s’, who won the Australian Open in doubles and who will also play as partners at the US Open, will meet in the first round of the individual draw.
The US Open has even prepared its own poster for the highly touted match with a nod to the cartoon series ‘Rick & Morty’.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis- childhood friends
In an interview with AAP, Kokkinakis expressed how he is facing a match that is strange to him, and how he should play his own kind of game.
“I’m not going to sit and wait. I have to be aggressive and show my game,” said Kokkinakis.
“He loves to kind of live in the chaos a bit when it comes to matches. He turns it into a bit of a circus around him and he’s just so comfortable with that,” he added.
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The 26-year-old knows what he’s talking about, as he is very familiar with Kyrgios’ style. Not only are they doubles partners, they’ve also played with each other since they were children.
“He’s done it from such a young age. Even 12 and under, 13 and under nationals- I’ve known him for a while. But he’s got the game, obviously, to back it up. It’s not just that, so it will be awkward.”
Nothing personal, it’s just tennis
Kokkinakis says he is very aware of Kyrgios’ way of playing and says that in case of any drama during the game, he will not let it get under his skin because that is simply the way his fellow Australian plays.
“I’ve seen him do it with a lot of close players he’s played on tour. That’s just him. It’s what makes him tick and what brings the best out of him with his tennis,” Kokkinakis said.
He acknowledges the strangeness of playing with a friend.
“I’ve got to find what works for me the best on the day... It’s going to be interesting to see how it plays out, whether we’re going to come out a little flat or whether the energy’s intense... It will be weird. I don’t know - I honestly couldn’t say how it’s going to play out.”