Ok, time to breathe. That draw was chaos.
But one name that was notably absent from the men’s side of the singles draw was Thanasi Kokkinakis.
The Australian fan favourite took to social media about an hour ago to confirm that he wouldn’t be able to take his place.
Thanasi Kokkinakis in the hands of a physio during his Adelaide International match against Sebastian Korda.Credit: Getty Images
“Unfortunately after speaking with my team and doctors, I have made the decision to pull out of the @AustralianOpen singles,” he said on X.
“After an incredibly tough year, this was the event I was looking forward to the most, but I’m not ready yet.
“We will still give doubles a go.”
Kokkinakis’ doubles partner and countryman Nick Kyrgios also withdrew from the singles side of the tournament in recent days – tournament director Craig Tiley backing his decision, but also making it clear he wasn’t assured of a wildcard anyway.
Kokkinakis yesterday withdrew from the remainder of the Adelaide International due to a right shoulder injury. He is on the comeback trail from revolutionary pectoral reattachment surgery, but the 29-year-old experienced renewed shoulder pain midway through his emotional three-set triumph over American Seb Korda on Monday night, which eventually caused him to withdraw before his second-round match on Wednesday.
