Nick Kyrgios has alarmed fans with a telling three-word statement as he announced he will team up again to play doubles with his best friend Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open next month.
The duo, also known as the ‘Special Ks’, shone the last time they took to the blue courts of Melbourne together, where they won the men’s doubles title in 2022 in front of a jubilant home crowd.
Their infectious and unstoppable tennis style captured the attention of fans around the world, but according to Kyrgios, they will no longer be making the rounds in a few weeks’ time after taking part in Rod Laver Arena.
“WE WILL BE BACK FOR THE @australianopen…. Expect a roller coaster… one last time,” Kyrgios wrote on Instagram.
Those last three words sent tennis fans into an uproar.
‘The last dance?? Say it ain’t so bro,” one person wrote.
Thanasi Kokkinakis (left) has left the door open for a possible double reunion between Nick Kyrgios (right) and himself
The pair starred in Melbourne at the 2022 Australian Open, capturing the men’s doubles title in front of a raucous home crowd
“What do you mean, one last time?” another commented.
‘No, not one last time. Tennis needs you,” another replied, with many similar comments coming in as well.
Kokkinakis didn’t follow suit with the “last time” comment when talking about working with his friend again.
“Doubles is tough because everyone loved it last time,” Kokkinakis said.
‘We loved it, it was so much fun.
‘It certainly won’t be our priority. We feel like we owe it to people to get back out there and have fun.
“It’s not something we’ve practiced, but yeah, singles is definitely the goal. It’s a tricky one.
“When you have a big five-setter, with all due respect, the last thing you want to do is play doubles the next day, but we’ll play it by ear and see how it goes.”
Kyrgios has played just one match of competitive tennis in the past two years after being plagued by a spate of injuries.
These included a serious knee injury and ligament damage to his wrist.
He will headline this month’s Brisbane International, which kicks off on December 29.
“It’s going to be great for tennis, great for fans in Australia and fans around the world,” Kokkinakis added on Kyrgios’ return to the court.
Kokkinakis said they would prioritize the singles tournament, but added that both players wanted to give back to the fans
He added that Kyrgios’ comeback from long-term injury was exciting for the sport, calling his compatriot “a great player.”
Kyrgios has made just one competitive appearance in the last two years amid a spate of injuries
‘He’s a different cat. He obviously has a different kind of energy and he’s a great player, so I think people will love having him back.
‘It took a long time. “I think he’s been ready to play for a while, but I think he wanted to make sure he was really ready (before) he takes a step back so he can hopefully stay healthy.”
In recent months, Kyrgios has been working hard in training and has opened up about some of the methods he has used to get his wrist back to full strength.
Even after his injuries, Kokkinakis supported his great friend to shoot again this summer.
He claimed he was hitting fluffy tennis balls that U10 players learn, adding: ‘I had to learn my right wrist [how to play tennis] all over again.’
“(He’s a) super-talented player. With that serve, sometimes you don’t even have to play that well to give yourself a chance,” he added.
“So if his body is in good condition, which I’m sure it will be, then yes, definitely. He’s always a dangerous threat.’
Kokkinakis is aiming for ATP top 50
The 28-year-old is someone who knows all about the pain of a long-term injury layoff.
Earlier this week, Kokkinakis made a shocking admission about his sporting career, claiming he had considered giving up tennis as he struggled with abdominal injuries, groin injuries and had to undergo shoulder surgery.
Despite this, he has enjoyed some big wins in 2024, dismissing Stefanos Tsitsipas, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Jack Draper over the course of the year.
Notably, he dismissed Ben Shelton during last month’s Davis Cup, sending Australia through to the semi-finals.
Kokkinakis, meanwhile, wants to break into the top 50 of the ATP Tour rankings in 2025
“I’ve got a higher ranking than where I finished, but I think in terms of consistent big wins and my level of tennis, it’s as good as I’ve been,” he said.
‘I’m going to use it as a springboard for the coming year. I feel like my tennis is up there with the top guys, and I’m really knocking on the door.
“I just have to keep working hard and not take my foot off the accelerator.”
As for his main goal for 2025, Kokkinakis, whose highest ranking is No. 65, hopes to break the ATP Tour’s top 50.
‘Top 50 is the next step for me, and I don’t have to stop there. “I think I can keep going, but that’s obviously the short-term goal,” he said.