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‘Loved it last time’: Special Ks reunion to grip AO

‘Loved it last time’: Special Ks reunion to grip AO

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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Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios after winning their men’s doubles final match against Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell at the 2022 Australian Open. Quinn Rooney via Getty Images

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.

Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia and Nick Kyrgios of Australia celebrate winning their Men's Doubles Final at the 2022 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2022 in Melbourne, Australia.

Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios’ chest bumps will return to Melbourne Park.  Getty

“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.

Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia celebrates victory against Jakub Mensik of Czechia during the 2024 Davis Cup Finals Group Stage match between Australia and Czechia at Pabellon Fuente De San Luis on September 12, 2024 in Valencia, Spain. (Photo by Angel Martinez/Getty Images for ITF)

Thanasi Kokkinakis celebrates victory against Jakub Mensik of Czechia during their 2024 Davis Cup Finals group stage match. Getty Images for ITF

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.”