Adding salt to the uncooked wound, Thanasi Kokkinakis’ gut-wrenching second-round Australian Open loss will depart the in-form star scrambling to make the primary draw of the season’s remaining three grand slam occasions.
As if he was not already crushed sufficient after letting a two-sets-to-love and 5-2 lead slip towards Andy Murray, Kokkinakis is now in a determined race towards the clock to elevate his flagging rating earlier than the French Open in May.
Despite lastly being freed from harm and taking part in the most effective tennis of his profession, Kokkinakis is projected to be languishing at No.135 on this planet after the Open.
The 26-year-old must climb again into the highest 100 to be assured direct entry to Roland Garros, the place he as soon as reached the third spherical as an thrilling teenage expertise and shared centre court docket with Novak Djokovic.
If he can’t, the South Australian might want to attempt his luck in qualifying, or depend on Tennis Australia awarding him the one wildcard they’re issued beneath a reciprocal association with the French Tennis Federation.
The tough predicament is a merciless postscript to probably the most dispiriting defeat of Kokkinakis luckless, injury-plagued profession.
The one-time Roger Federer slayer was already reeling bodily and mentally from the five-hour, 45-minute heartbreaker that completed at 4.05 on Friday morning.
“Don’t really know what to say …. Wow, this f***ing sport man,” Kokkinakis posted on Instagram whereas making an attempt to digest the 4-6 6-7 (4-7) 7-6 (7-5) 6-3 7-5 defeat.
“Gave it everything I had last night and fell short. You’re a warrior @andymurray and a honour to share that court with you.
“To everybody that helps me, THANKYOU.”
Kokkinakis’ bitter pill ends his 2023 Open campaign after he was forced to withdraw from his doubles title defence when playing partner Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the singles on Monday with a knee injury.
His departure leaves 22nd seed Alex de Minaur and fellow Sydneysider Alexei Popyrin to fly the Australian flag in the singles.
De Minaur performs Frenchman Benjamin Bonzi on Saturday for a spot within the final 16, with Popyrin up towards American Ben Shelton because the wildcard chases a spot within the second week of a grand slam for the primary time.
