'Special Ks' of Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis targeting 'sick, crazy' doubles glory at Australian Open despite injury worries
Published 18/01/2026 at 18:02 GMT
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There will be no individual accolades for Nick Kyrgios at this year's Australian Open, but the 30-year-old is eager for more doubles success with partner Thanasi Kokkinakis. The Australian duo get their tournament underway against Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans this week, looking to replicate their triumph of 2022. Watch the 2026 Australian Open live in the UK on TNT Sports and discovery+.
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Nick Kyrgios said it would be "sick" if he and doubles partner Thanasi Kokkinakis can enjoy more success at the Australian Open 2026.
The Australian pair won the men's doubles title in Melbourne in 2022, and they are back this year with big ambitions.
Kokkinakis pulled out of the singles draw after struggling through a three-set win over Sebastian Korda at the Adelaide International in his first match in almost a year following pectoral surgery in February 2025.
Kyrgios, who has played just seven singles tour matches in three years after reaching the Wimbledon final in 2022, is also not competing in the singles draw at the Australian Open.
But he is set to join up with Kokkinakis again in the doubles and admitted the prospect of more success is exciting. Kyrgios said his body was not yet ready for five-set tennis.
"He told me he's definitely going to play," Kyrgios said. "I just feel for him. Obviously, he had to pull out of his singles, but at this point in our careers I think we're just grateful to be out here.
"If we can make waves again in the doubles world, I think it'll be pretty sick. I did tell Thanasi, it would be sick if we ran it back.
"There's a long way to go, but if we're able to do it again, what we did in 2022, it might be crazy."
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Last year's Australian Open did not go to plan for the duo, who were forced to retire midway through their first-round match against compatriots James Duckworth and Aleksandar Vukic.
But the backing of a vocal home crowd could be a difference-maker for both players.
"Obviously, there's going to be some high expectations [at the Australian Open], but the one thing that people can expect is we're going to have fun," Kokkinakis said.
"We're going to be energetic, and we're going to give it our all.
"I can't guarantee a win like last time, but he [Kyrgios] is a character and it's always going to be fun going out there and playing with him.
"We'll get the crowd up and about."
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Kyrgios and Kokkinakis are scheduled to play fellow Australians Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans in the first round on Wednesday.
"Look, when me and Thanasi play, we've got this [Rod Laver Arena] place rocking, so it'll be similar vibes," Kyrgios said.
"Honestly, I'm really excited to see what the stadium's going to be like when me and TK are out there."
How to watch and stream the 2026 Australian Open?
You can watch all the action from the 2026 Australian Open live in the UK on TNT Sports and on-demand on discovery+.
As well as all the live coverage from Melbourne, there will be expert analysis from on-site and in the studio.
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