Thanasi Kokkinakis the host player who is back in shape, is very much ready to return to her first Grand Slam for the 2021 season, the Australian Open.
A period of quarantine with strict training rules and in other cases, two weeks of strict quarantine have hindered the preparations for tennis players arriving in kangaroo land to take action at the Grand Slam.
But after a long battle with injury, the South Australian who received a wildcard will enter the Grand Slam in Melbourne on February 8 in good health and has an advantage over his other opponents.
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“Drastic changes in training schedule and environment will have a significant impact on tennis players, as they strive to prevent physiological and biochemical damage,” said University of South Australia professor Kevin Norton.
The sports scientist says tennis players’ decision-making abilities and endurance can be affected by being trapped in air-conditioned hotel rooms and those who are not quarantined can benefit greatly.
It was a change of luck for the 24-year-old who suffered from glandular fever this time last season, setting a setback for a career that has been hampered by injuries since her debut at the 2014 Australian Open.
First of all, the Australian national broke a bone in his back, then he severely injured his knee after tripping over the nameplate on the field during his match. He also injured his shoulder in the 2018 season, injured his groin and chest.
Despite all these injuries, he has been in the highest ranking of his career to date when he is ranked 69th in the world and has beaten a classmate of Roger Federer in Miami in 2018.
After many setbacks, the 24-year-old is ready to start her adventure at the Australian Open as the world number 264.
“I am so excited. It would be an unreal thing to go back there with the audience and hopefully the energy will remain the same as before,” Thanasi Kokkinakis exclaimed.
“I’m trying to have a few matches, but I feel really healthy, fit and ready to compete.”
He also stated that his mentor and former two-time Grand Slam finalist Mark Philippoussis helped when he was unable to work directly with his Adelaide-based coach due to border restrictions.
“He is a legend, has been so nice to me through the seasons as a mentor, or just hit a few balls and talked to him,” commented Kokkinakis of Philippoussis.
“He’s a really nice guy who always helps me when he can.”
