Thanasi Kokkinakis is excessive on confidence and relishing the workforce spirit forward of his first Davis Cup match, in opposition to Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics, in nearly seven years.
Sydney, Australia, 4 March 2022 | Vivienne Christie
When Thanasi Kokkinakis takes to court docket at Ken Rosewall Enviornment later immediately, it will likely be greater than 2300 days since he final competed in a Davis Cup setting.
On that September 2015 event, in opposition to Nice Britain within the World Group semfinals, Kokkinakis misplaced to world No.3 Andy Murray.
Earlier, the then-19-year-old had claimed a straight-sets win over Dan Evans, contributing to a 2-3 win-loss file he already held in Davis Cup rubbers.
As he takes to the court docket in opposition to Hungary’s Marton Fucsovics within the second singles rubber, it’s newer reminiscences that may propel the South Australian.
At Miami final yr, Kokkinakis pushed the Hungarian of their solely match on tour, with the then world No.40-ranked Fucsovics requiring three units to progress previous the world No.243 Australian.
“I had a decent one with him final yr, which may have gone both means, so I’m going to attempt to get on the market, compete onerous and hopefully get it achieved,” stated Kokkinakis forward of this night’s encounter in opposition to the 30-year-old Hungarian.
🇦🇺😁 pic.twitter.com/hrDE01fr88
— Thanasi Kokkinakis (@TKokkinakis) March 3, 2022
Kokkinakis can accomplish that with confidence, with current kind exhibiting he’s a vastly improved competitor since that Miami match nearly a yr in the past.
In Australia this summer season, the 25-year-old progressed to the semifinals of the primary Adelaide Worldwide event earlier than lifting a primary ATP singles trophy within the second event in his dwelling metropolis.
“My tennis basically – I labored so onerous, grinding it out final yr making an attempt to get again thus far after which to indicate my greatest tennis on dwelling soil means rather a lot,” stated Kokkinakis of the boldness he gained after successful eight of his first 9 matches for the season.
“I feel I’ve at all times believed in myself, what I’m able to, nevertheless it’s been the consistency and having the ability to again it up that’s been essentially the most pleasing half for me.”
Additional confidence got here as Kokkinakis captured a primary Grand Slam title, claiming the Australian Open 2022 males’s doubles trophy along with his shut good friend Nick Kyrgios.
Returned to the world’s prime 100 after recovering from his well-documented well being challenges, the Australian is embracing one other alternative in a transformational begin to the 2022 season.
“It’s a fairly cool feeling. It’s been six or seven years however yeah, stoked to get a call-up from Lleyton,” stated Kokkinakis of his long-awaited return to the Australian Davis Cup workforce.
“Being round a very good group of men, everybody’s bonding very well, everybody’s hitting properly … I’m stoked I acquired the call-up.”
> DOWNLOAD: Australia v Hungary Qualifier Official Davis Cup Program
Australia v Hungary Davis Cup Qualifier – Day One
R1 Alex de Minaur (AUS) v Zsombor Piros (HUN)
R2 Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) v Marton Fucsovics (HUN)
Australia meets Hungary within the Davis Cup qualifier at Ken Rosewall Enviornment, Sydney Olympic Park, from 5pm on Friday 4 March. Tickets can be found through Ticketmaster.
