A gutsy Thanasi Kokkinakis won his first match in 12 months - but it could come at a cost for his Australian Open campaign and doubles mission with Nick Kyrgios.
Despite battling a significant shoulder injury that saw his service speeds reduced, Kokkinakis overcame Sebastian Korda 3-6 6-3 7-6(5) in the first round of the Adelaide International.
It was the first singles match Kokkinakis has played since losing to Jack Draper at Australian Open 2025 after having surgery to attach a dead person's Achilles to his troublesome pectoral and shoulder area.
However, it was Kokkinakis' shoulder that gave him trouble - starting in the second set against Korda.
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After the match, he admitted he wasn't sure if he would play his second round match against in Adelaide, leaving his participation in the Australian Open singles and doubles with Nick Kyrgios in doubt.
Kokkinakis is scheduled to play Monaco player Valentin Vacherot on Wednesday, giving him the Tuesday free to go through recovery and preparation.
"We are so far away from the courts tomorrow. I am going to be put on ice, try and take the strongest painkillers, and see as many physios as I can," Kokkinakis said in his on-court interview.
"I know what tomorrow is looking like for me - and I don't love it. Fingers crossed, the anti-inflammatories work some wonders."
He continued: "I had conversations with my team: I was like: 'At what cost am I playing? Even if I get through this match, so what?
"I had the surgery so I could back up matches and go through a tournament. But I'll never really find out until I go through a long match and see where I'm at after."
The Australian started to go for winners to shorten points and the aggression unsettled Korda, who appeared frustrated at his inability to defeat his injured opponent.
Despite regularly gripping his shoulder and wincing in pain, Kokkinakis' power hitting was too strong for Korda - but it remains to be seen if we will see any more of him this summer.
Kokkinakis is scheduled to play doubles with Kyrgios at the AO, with his partner not playing singles, but any injury could see the cancellation of 'Special K' for the summer.