Tennis world shattered for Thanasi Kokkinakis after brutal development before Australian Open

Tennis fans have expressed their sadness for Thanasi Kokkinakis after he was forced to pull out of the Adelaide International on Thursday night, throwing his availability for the Australian Open into major doubt. Kokkinakis famously won his home tournament in Adelaide in 2022, but was forced to withdraw from a quarter-final clash with Sebastian Korda on Thursday night with a shoulder injury.

It comes after the Aussie fan favourite won a three-hour slugfest against Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Wednesday night, in which the World No.77 could be seen grabbing his right shoulder in pain. Kokkinakis also withdrew from the Brisbane International last week with a hip injury, and his latest setback comes at the worst possible time with the Australian Open starting on Sunday.

The 28-year-old addressed the crowd in Adelaide on Thursday after his withdrawal was confirmed. “Unfortunately I was in a lot of pain last night playing through an injury which has kept me out for many years and it just crept up on me," he said.

“I pulled up even worse this morning so I’m pretty flat about that but I’m already looking forward to next year – the place was rocking last night, there’s no court that puts a feeling into me like this one here does. The next goal for me is to try and see if I can be ready for next week (Australian Open), I’ve got a few days still to recover.”

He later wrote on social media: "Shattered to have to pull out of Adelaide. Thank you to everyone, the support was incredible all week and felt the love. [Fingers crossed] for Australian Open."

Tennis fans were also left gutted for Kokkinakis considering the Australian Open is just two days away. The 28-year-old has pulled off some remarkable victories at his home grand slam over the years.

Destanee Aiava and Kimberly Birrell qualify for Australian Open

Elsewhere on Thursday, Aussie women Destanee Aiava and Kimberly Birrell both advanced to the Australian Open main draw after winning through qualifying. Aiava will play the grand slam for the first tome in four years after beating German player Eva Lys 6-1 2-6 6-4 in the final round of qualifying.

She was later joined by Australia's top-ranked female Birrell, who came through a marathon match against Oksana Selekhmeteva to win 6-3 6-7 (7-4) 6-4. But fellow Australian Maddison Inglis suffered heartbreak for the second year running after another loss in the final round, going down to Julia Riera of Argentina 6-4 1-6 2-6.

For Aiava it marks the second grand slam in a row that the 24-year-old has qualified for, also winning through to the main draw of the US Open last year. "It feels amazing, it's been a couple of years since I was playing in the AO main, and to qualify as well feels even better," Aiava said. "I took experience and confidence from qualifying at the US Open and used it here, and I think my game's only improved in the last year as well."

Maya Joint destroys Australian Open champ in stunning scenes

And Aussie teen Maya Joint stunned the tennis world again with a third stunning victory in a row. The 18-year-old, who was granted a wildcard into the Australian Open, destroyed 2020 Open champ Sofia Kenin 6-3 6-1 in Hobart to advance to her first semi-final at WTA level.

"It's crazy. I feel really good right now," Joint said. "I'm just so excited to be in the semis. I can't wait to play again."

with AAP