“Heaps fun,” Thanasi Kokkinakis responds to Novak Djokovic’s challenge at the Adelaide International

“Heaps fun,” Thanasi Kokkinakis responds to Novak Djokovic’s challenge at the Adelaide International

Thanasi Kokkinakis and Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic hasn’t wasted any time upon his return to Australia. Scheduled to play in the 2023 Adelaide International, Djokovic will be the top seed at the season opener on the Men’s Tour. Although the 2023 United Cup is the first tournament of the season, solely on the ATP Tour, Adelaide International is the first event.

Djokovic held his first practice session yesterday and had another one today as the tournament gets closer. Following his practice session, he had some media duties to which he duly obliged. The Serb was asked about his views on the tournament and the facility which had impressed the 21-time Major winner.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HpByeZTjOcE

Apart from praising the tournament, Djokovic talked about the star-studded field at the 250-level event. Joining Djokovic are Felix Auger-Aliassime, Daniil Medvedev, Holger Rune, Jannik Sinner, and Andrey Rublev to name a few. Defending champion and local boy Thanasi Kokkinakis is also in the draw and got a little friendly challenge from the former World No. 1.

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“Also in the opening round, you can play Thanasi Kokkinakis, who is the title defender, so that could be fun actually. Playing Thanasi in front of these home fans, could be fun,” said Djokovic talking about the competitors.

Kokkinakis was tagged on Instagram by the tournament’s official Instagram handle and he replied to the challenge on his story saying, “Yea heaps fun.”

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H2H record of Novak Djokovic and Thanasi Kokkinakis

Thanasi Kokkinakis replies to Novak Djokovic's challenge
Thanasi Kokkinakis replies to Novak Djokovic’s challenge

While Novak Djokovic and Thanasi Kokkinakis showed good camaraderie, the two haven’t clashed much on the court. Their first-ever meeting took place in the 2015 French Open during the third round. Djokovic raced past the Aussie in straight-sets and went on to finish runner-up to Stan Wawrinka at the Grand Slam.

Their second and last meeting took place in the second round of the 2022 Wimbledon Championships. It was yet another straight-set win for Djokovic, who went on to clinch his fourth consecutive title at the All-England Club. Following the Wimbledon defeat, Kokkinakis had called Djokovic a ‘wall‘ and declared that he would indeed win the Grand Slam.

The draws for the Adelaide International are yet to be made and Kokkiankis might hope that he avoids the Serb who leads him 2-0 in the head-to-head. As for Djokovic, he would just want matches under his belt before heading to the 2023 Australian Open, seeking to win his 10th title in Melbourne.

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