Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis will reprise their doubles partnership at next month’s Australian Open

Kyrgios will make his return to the grand slam arena at Melbourne Park, having only managed one match in the last two years because of repeat injuries.

The Aussie firebrand has been included in the men’s singles entry list with a protected ranking.

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Kokkinakis joins great mate Kyrgios in the main draw, however this is not where the fun ends.

“It’s great for fans in Australia [and] fans all over the world,” Kokkinakis told 9News Melbourne of Kyrgios’ comeback.

“He’s a different cat. He obviously has a different energy about him and he’s a hell of a player.”

After kicking off his 2025 campaign in Brisbane, Kyrgios will return to the AO with a protected ranking of 21 — his average ranking in the first three months of his injury.

With Kokkinakis starting the season in his home city of Adelaide, he is confident Kyrgios can put his run of knee and wrist injuries behind him to trouble the world’s best.

“His body is in good nick, which I’m sure it will be [when the AO starts],” he said.

“He’s always a dangerous threat.”

The last time Kyrgios featured at the AO in 2022, he teamed up with Kokkinakis to win the men’s doubles title.

Now, the Special Ks are set to return in 2025.

“Everyone loved it last time — we loved it last time,” Kokkinakis said.

“It was so much fun.

“It’s definitely not going to be the priority for us but we feel that we owe it to people to get back out there and have some fun.”

Kokkinakis is coming off his most consistent season to date with 14 wins and 16 losses on the ATP Tour.

But the world No.77 has higher expectations for next year.

“For me, top 50 is the next push and I don’t need to stop there,” Kokkinakis said.

“I feel like my tennis is right there with the top guys and I’m really knocking on the door. I feel like I’m close.”