That has been a theme since they faced off in the 2013 Australian Open boys’ final.
Kokkinakis has not enjoyed the same success as Kyrgios, in part because of a horror injury run – but has been largely healthy since hiring Jona Segal as his strength and conditioning coach ahead of the 2021 Australian Open.
Kokkinakis celebrates his Davis Cup quarter-final victory over American Ben Shelton last month.Credit: Getty Images for ITF
Another roadblock was the 28-year-old’s love-hate relationship with the sport, predominantly the travelling circus that means spending most of every year away from home.
However, the world No.77 spent nine months consecutively overseas for the first time this past season, coinciding with him winning at least one match at every grand slam – a feat he had never managed before.
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Kokkinakis’ scalps in 2024 included Stefanos Tsitsipas, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Arthur Fils, Alexei Popyrin, Gael Monfils, Jack Draper and Ben Shelton, whom he won an epic encounter against to steer Australia into the Davis Cup semi-finals last month.
“I’ve had a higher ranking than where I finished up, but I feel as far as consistent big wins and my tennis level, it’s as good as I’ve been,” he said.
“I’m going to use it as a springboard for this year coming up. I feel like my tennis is right there with the top guys, and I’m really knocking on the door. I’ve just got to keep working hard, and not take my foot off the gas.”
It was not even 12 months ago that Kokkinakis was unable to muster an answer to how he would fix his motivation struggles away from Australia.
“No idea. I’m 27 now, and I wish I would have figured it out by now,” he said at the time.
Somewhere in between then and now, Kokkinakis came up with a solution. Part of it was playing primarily on the ATP Tour and only sparingly on the secondary Challenger circuit.
Kokkinakis upset Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas at this year’s US Open.Credit: Getty Images
“It was just trying to figure out which places I like playing, where I’m going to be happier off the court to give myself the best chance to play,” he said.
“I feel like my level’s there with the best, so I think trying to compete against the better guys and play those top-level tournaments [was my priority].”
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Kokkinakis is one of nine Australian men ranked inside the top 100 but has never been higher than No.65.
His next goal is to break into the top 50, then join Alex de Minaur, Popyrin and Jordan Thompson in the top 30. Kyrgios also has a protected ranking of No.21.
“Top 50 is the next push for me, and I don’t need to stop there. I think I can keep going, but that’s obviously the short-term goal,” Kokkinakis said.
“What Demon’s been able to do this year [is impressive], making Turin for the first time, especially after his injuries. ‘Pop’ coming out of nowhere, almost, and winning that Masters is a crazy result, and just the depth we have and the strength in numbers, we’re obviously doing something right.
“The last few years, we’ve been knocking on the door for a Davis Cup title, which we’re going to keep pushing for. I think tennis in Australia is definitely strong.”
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