Happier Kokkinakis ready for Delpo

Published by Matt Trollope

Thanasi Kokkinakis celebrates his win over Milos Raonic at Queen's Club; Getty Images
A few weeks ago, Thanasi Kokkinakis was struggling. But with both body and mind improving, the Aussie young gun is plotting a take-down of Juan Martin del Potro at Wimbledon.

Thanasi Kokkinakis is a long way removed from the headspace he found himself in ahead of Roland Garros.

The 21-year-old Australian, who had struggled for the best part of 18 months with a shoulder and other assorted injuries, had taken his first tentative steps back onto the tour but lacked confidence in his body and was frustrated by a perceived lack of progress.

Yet a few weeks on, and with a few wins under his belt, Kokkinakis is an ebullient presence.

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“I’m better. I think you caught me after one of the practices (at the French Open) – I was fuming,” he laughed when talking to media at the All England Club on Friday.

“I feel better, feel better with my game, feel better with where I’m at. Body is starting to feel better which is the main (cause of) stress, so touch wood, see what happens, things are slowly starting to flick around. I had a couple of wins since then as well which is good – hopefully I can keep them going.”

Kokkinakis is using a protected ranking to enter Wimbledon – he’s currently ranked No.478 – and opens his 2017 campaign against Juan Martin del Potro, who like the Aussie has suffered his fair share of injury problems.

The towering Argentine hasn’t played since Roland Garros; he withdrew from Queen’s, citing a groin injury, but is playing The Boodles exhibition event this week.

“Yeah it’s tough (as a first-round match),” Kokkinakis said.

“I found on social media before I actually looked (at the draw), and everyone messages me ‘oh, big match mate, good luck’ (laughter). I’ve had some tough draws the last three slams.

“He’s had a few injuries, del Potro, as well, but he’s shown he can bounce back – obviously (made the) final of the Olympics. He’s a great player. It’s gonna be a tough match.”

Not that Kokkinakis feels this first-round hurdle is too high to clear.

“I feel like I can play well and make this a thing – for sure I think I can win, but you’ve got to try and worry about the points early on. I’m anxious before every match no matter who I play. I was just as anxious playing (Daniil) Medvedev as I was playing (Milos) Raonic (at Queen’s) and the match before that on a side court in Holland.

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“Especially coming back after so long out, I’m always nervous, I’m always edgy so it’s about me settling into my groove. I think it’s going to be a fun match, we’re both kind of similar players so it should be good.”

Medevedev proved a thorn in Kokkinakis’ side throughout the grasscourt season, beating him in both ‘s-Hertogenbosch and at Queen’s Club.

Kokkinakis had won matches at both of those tournaments to get there, but found the fellow rising start too tough to handle – especially in a 6-2 6-2 loss at Queen’s that left Kokkinakis especially disappointed.

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“Grass is tougher – I’ve got to alter my game style a little bit, probably less forehands and just play a bit smarter,” he admitted.

“It (the Medvedev loss) just shows that I’ve got a long way to go – which I knew. I’m trying to put it away (out of my mind). Again I’ve practised a lot better than what I played. But he’s actually gone on to play some really good tennis – he’s in the semis (at Eastbourne) so he’s a good player, he’s an awkward player.

“I’m trying to focus on what’s ahead. I played a shocking match, probably the worst on tour but that’s alright, got to move forward and see how we go.”

Kokkinakis takes on del Potro on Tuesday at Wimbledon. It will be there first meeting.

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