Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis has secured a dramatic and painful victory in his long-awaited singles comeback, but the win was overshadowed by a worrying fresh shoulder injury. The 29-year-old triumphed over American Sebastian Korda 3-6, 6-3, 7-6 (7-3) in the first round of the Adelaide International on Monday night, his first singles match in 362 days.
A Courageous But Costly Victory
Kokkinakis's return to the court followed an unprecedented surgical procedure, where a deceased donor's Achilles tendon was grafted between his right pectoral muscle and shoulder. Despite this, the Adelaide native was forced to battle through intense pain during the match, particularly from the second set onwards. He required on-court physio treatment as his shoulder caused significant distress.
In a candid admission after the match, Kokkinakis revealed the internal conflict he faced. "I had conversations with my team: I was like: 'At what cost am I playing? Even if I get through this match, so what?'" he said. The player conceded that if the tournament wasn't in his home city, he likely would not have taken to the court at all.
Mental Battle and Physical Consequences
The victory was as much a psychological feat as a physical one. Kokkinakis described the immense mental effort required to continue, repeatedly questioning whether he was causing further damage. "There was a lot of times I thought about stopping," he admitted. However, the emotional pull of competing at the tournament where he won his sole ATP singles title made withdrawal an unthinkable option.
Kokkinakis now faces an anxious wait to see if he can recover in time for his second-round match on Wednesday. He is braced for a physically restless night, relying on anti-inflammatory medication to aid his recovery. The pain is distinct from previous pectoral issues, stemming directly from his shoulder—a complication he believes was caused by his earlier pec surgery.
Pride in Effort Despite the Risk
While acknowledging the potential risk to his future health, Kokkinakis expressed pride in his unwavering effort, especially on home soil. "One thing that I feel like I've always given, especially playing in Australia more than anything, is just whatever I have, I'm emptying the tank," he stated. This wholehearted commitment, he reflected, allows him to sleep easier at night mentally, even if his body pays the price.
The courageous win sets up a tense scenario for the rest of the tournament. Fans and pundits alike will be watching closely to see if Kokkinakis's body can withstand the rigours of back-to-back matches, the very capability his complex surgery was meant to restore.
