Fit Kokkinakis ready to contend in 2023

Fit, firing and confident again, Thanasi Kokkinakis believes he can become the next bolt from the blue to make a deep grand slam run.

Carlos Alcaraz’s ascent to world No.1 and US Open champion, and Casper Ruud’s charge to the Roland Garros and Flushing Meadows finals have shown there is room for some fresh faces at the peak of men’s tennis.

After also seeing close friend Nick Kyrgios enjoy a career-best year, including a blistering run to the Wimbledon final, Kokkinakis has reason to believe.

“You’ve just got to be in really good shape and that’s what I’m working hard on at the moment, getting in real good nick,” Kokkinakis told AAP.

“Then, whatever happens, happens – but definitely making a deep run at a slam would be a goal.

“Especially when you play some of these guys in events and you either beat them or you’re like, ‘Hang on, I’m not that far off’, and you see them make really deep runs.

“You’ve just got to be consistent physically and mentally and be ready to play but it’s definitely there if I want it.”

The first half of Kokkinakis’ career was cruelled by a luckless run of shoulder, pectoral, groin, knee and elbow injuries, as well as a serious bout of glandular fever.

In 2017, the South Australian even lost his ranking.

But his 2022 resurgence, kickstarted by a maiden ATP Tour title breakthrough in his home city of Adelaide in January, has the 26-year-old believing again.

“I still didn’t play that many tournaments this year, so I’m hoping for an even fuller year next year,” the world No.93 said.

“But (this was) my best year on tour, so I’m stoked. I had some really good wins.

“It’s just about being consistent and bringing my best effort every time I go out there and play. The next goal for me is top 50 and then go on from there.”

The fight to achieve that goal will start in his home town.

Kokkinakis won the second Adelaide International this year after making the semi-finals of the first tournament, and is poised to compete in both ATP 250 events next month.

Adelaide One includes Novak Djokovic, Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev and Andrey Rublev, while Rublev and Kyrgios headline the second tournament.

Kokkinakis is on notice to perform – given the rankings points he will be defending, early defeats in Adelaide would send him spiralling out of the top 100 and mean no direct entry to the slams.

“I saw the list. It was crazy. Especially Adelaide One – it looks like a Masters event, almost,” Kokkinakis said.

“I’m going to go back to Adelaide, a court that I’ve had my best memory on, playing in front of friends and family – a little bit of pressure but it’ll be fun. I’ll enjoy it.”