Thanasi Kokkinakis has made the difficult decision to withdraw from the Adelaide International to focus on recovering from a shoulder injury as he prepares for the Australian Open, which kicks off on January 14, 2023.
The 28-year-old Australian felt compelled to step back from the tournament after suffering from recurring shoulder pain, exacerbated during his grueling round of 16 victory against Tomas Martin Etcheverry on January 8. Despite delivering 23 aces and impressing the electrified home crowd, Kokkinakis was visibly struggling by the end of the match.
On the night of his withdrawal, he was set to face second seed Sebastian Korda but announced his exit due to worsening conditions. “Unfortunately I was in a lot of pain last night playing through an injury which has kept me out for many years and it just crept up on me,” he explained. His sentiments reflected heartbreak not just for himself but for the fans who have rallied around him.
Kokkinakis expressed his disappointment during his address to the crowd, sharing the emotional weight of his decision. “I’m pretty flat about it but I’m already looking forward to next year – the place was rocking last night, there’s no court like this one,” he said. His heartfelt words were shared on social media as well, where he stated, "Shattered to have to pull out of Adelaide. Thank you to everyone, the support was incredible all week and felt the love. [Fingers crossed] for Australian Open."
The atmosphere around his withdrawal is palpable, as tennis fans felt the ripple effects of his absence just days before the prestigious Australian Open, where Kokkinakis has had his share of remarkable moments. The 2022 champion is now taking recovery seriously with hopes to be ready to compete next week.
Meanwhile, the Adelaide International continues, with Korda advancing to the semi-finals following Kokkinakis' exit. The American will face Serbia's Miomir Kecmanovic, who defeated Benjamin Bonzi convincingly. Korda's progression now raises questions about how far he can go without his formidable rival on the court.
On the upside for Australian tennis, the women's circuit saw two locals, Destanee Aiava and Kimberly Birrell, successfully qualify for the Australian Open. Aiava secured her place after defeating German player Eva Lys 6-1, 2-6, 6-4, marking her first appearance at the grand slam after four years. Birrell also demonstrated resilience by battling through intense matches to earn her spot.
Aiava expressed her joy following her qualification, sharing, “It feels amazing, it’s been a couple of years since I was playing in the AO main, and to qualify as well feels even greater.”
While the focus shifts back and forth between veterans and rising stars, Kokkinakis' situation serves as a reminder of the physical toll of professional sports. Athletes often have to navigate the fine line between pushing for glory and safeguarding their health; Kokkinakis' current predicament shines light on the tough decisions athletes face.
For now, all eyes remain on Kokkinakis as he looks to heal and make his next move—a hopeful return to the court for the Australian Open—where the support from his fans and the Australian tennis community could potentially give him the boost he needs. The coming days will determine if he can shake off this injury and showcase his talent on home soil once again.
With the Australian Open just around the corner, the anticipation remains high, not just for Kokkinakis' potential comeback, but also for what the tournament holds for other Australian competitors making their marks at this iconic event.