Kyrgios and Kokkinakis triumph in Brisbane on emotional comebacks from injury
Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios reunited on the ATP Tour with an emotional win at the Brisbane International on Sunday, rekindling their successful Australian Open partnership while marking their comebacks from long-term injuries.
It was Kyrgios’ first match in 167 days, while Kokkinakis returned after a pectoral injury sustained in January 2025. The pair edged past Matthew Ebden and Rajeev Ram 5-7, 6-4, 10-8 in a thrilling encounter.
“I’m about to tear up,” Kokkinakis said after the match. “I haven’t played a match in 12 months… I underwent surgery a year ago with no guarantee I’d be back playing. It’s been a long, challenging year, and there were times I thought my career was over. But I chipped away at it.”
The Australian duo famously won the men’s doubles title at the 2022 Australian Open. They reunited ahead of last year’s tournament, but Kokkinakis’ injury forced an early exit in the first round.
“It’s doubles, but it means everything,” Kokkinakis added. “This is a good stepping stone for us.”
Next up, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will face French sixth seeds Sadio Doumbia and Fabien Reboul in the second round.
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