Livescore
No one thought that Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis could win a doubles Grand Slam title when they teamed up at last year’s Australian Open.
But the ‘Special Ks’ captivated the tennis world by beating the world No.1 pairing on their way to lifting the championship at Melbourne Park.
The close relationship between Kyrgios and Kokkinakis made for plenty of entertaining antics during their matches.
Will Kyrgios and Kokkinakis be renewing their pairing for Australian Open 2023?
MORE: Nick Kyrgios vs Novak Djokovic tickets sell out in minutes for blockbuster practice match
Are Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis playing doubles at the Australian Open in 2023?
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis will NOT be defending their title, with the former officially pulling out of the Australian Open with a knee injury.
The 27-year-old announced on Monday afternoon that he will not be competing in the Grand Slam, with a minor ligament tear in his knee being the cause for his withdrawal.
The knee injury has halted plans for the duo to come together, but the Australian No.2 was fit enough to play Novak Djokovic in a practice match on January 13.
MORE: Is Nick Kyrgios playing in the Australian Open? Updates ahead of 2023 tennis tournament
How did Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis win Australian Open 2022?
After receiving a wildcard doubles entry, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis first turned heads when they defeated No.1 seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic in the second round.
Gradually word spread about the entertainment provided by the duo, as fans packed into KIA Arena to watch their antics.
On their way to the final, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis dismissed the third, sixth and 15th seeds, before overcoming fellow Aussie pair Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell 7-5 6-4 in the championship decider.
In triumphing, the pair became the first wildcard duo in the open era to lift the title.
MORE: Get off Nick Kyrgios’ back: Controversial star is right to focus on winning the Australian Open and a Grand Slam title
Did Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis play more doubles in 2022?
Following their unlikely run, the ‘Special Ks’ continued to play doubles throughout the year.
The duo won the ATP Atlanta title and reached the semi-finals at the Miami Masters and Tokyo.
They also competed at the US Open but bowed out in the third round.
All up, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis picked up a total of 19 wins from the eight tournaments they participated in during 2022, which saw them compete in their first-ever ATP Finals to wrap up the season.
The Australian duo bowed out of the tournament in Turin in the group stages but still put on a signature show for fans, notching a stunning upset in their second match.
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