Kyrgios and Kokkinakis to defend Australian Open doubles crown
The HinduAustralia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis has confirmed he will partner compatriot Nick Kyrgios to defend their men’s doubles crown at the Australian Open this month. There were doubts whether Kyrgios would play both singles and doubles in the year’s first Grand Slam after he withdrew from the inaugural edition of the United Cup due to injury but Kokkinakis said they would give it a go. “Obviously, singles is our priority but I think it would be rude not to go out there and have fun with it.” Ahead of the Australian Open, which begins on Jan. 16, Kokkinakis will play in the singles in the first of two Adelaide International tournaments. The Australian said he was surprised by the strength of the field for the ATP 250 event, which also features former world number ones Novak Djokovic and Daniil Medvedev.