Aussies’ big-time journey
NICK Kyrgios will seek urgent medical attention as Thanasi Kokkinakis reflects on how much work needs to be done to excel at grand slam level.
The fallout from the pair’s French Open defeats shunted Kyrgios and Kokkinakis on contrasting paths to Wimbledon.
While they emerged from with career-high rankings – Kyrgios at No. 25 and Kokkinakis at 68 – there were reality checks for both.
Kyrgios was handicapped by elbow soreness in a 6-4, 6-2, 6-3 loss to world No. 3 Andy Murray and admits he is baffled by the problem.
“I have done so much (remedial work) and it’s pretty heartbreaking going out there and something like that holding you back,” he said.
“I am entered in a couple of tournaments (Hertogenbosch and Queen’s Club) but I will do everything I can obviously to get ready for Wimbledon.
“That’s the next big one. I think that’s my best chance to win a grand slam.
“I don’t know what the problem is but you guys can see for yourselves on the stats I’m not serving anywhere near the pace I usually serve.
“Yeah, it’s heartbreaking. I don’t know what I have to do at the moment. I only just got off the court 20 minutes ago. I’m going to sit down with my team and reassess.”
Kyrgios’ serving power waned significantly as the match wore on, allowing Murray to dictate.
The brash young Australian was bleary eyed with emotion after the match and it seems certain he will miss at least one of the Wimbledon lead-up events.
Kokkinakis, 19, was upbeat after losing 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 to world No. 1 Novak Djokovic – not because of the score but rather the confirmation of how much he has developed.
“Great experience for me to play on such a nice court against No. 1 in the world and one of the greatest players of all time,” he said. “Just shows kind of where I need to get to. I don’t think I need to change too much what I’m doing. “I think I’m on a good path.” Kokkinakis will play three tournaments in preparation for Wimbledon, where he will also partner 2002 champion Lleyton Hewitt in doubles.
He walked off to Djokovic’s ringing endorsement.
“He just said, ‘Keep working hard, got a big future, a lot of talent’,” Kokkinakis revealed.