Special Ks' Doubles Return Ends in Dramatic Defeat
The much-anticipated return of the Special Ks to the Australian Open ended in dramatic fashion as Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis were edged out in a thrilling three-set battle against fellow Australians Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans. The former champions, battling through significant injury concerns, fell 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (4) in a match that captivated a packed Kia Arena crowd.
Injury-Plagued Performance
Both Kyrgios and Kokkinakis entered the match carrying well-documented injuries that had prevented them from competing in the singles draw. Throughout the encounter, their physical struggles were evident, with Kokkinakis requiring treatment for shoulder pain and Kyrgios admitting to taking painkillers before the match. "I don't want to play another match feeling like that ever again," Kokkinakis confessed afterwards. "I will take a serious break. The crowd was incredible. It was exciting, unfortunately probably they saw shadows of our former selves."
Controversial Moments and Crowd Interaction
The match was filled with theatrical moments that have become characteristic of Kyrgios' appearances:
- An underarm serve that backfired
- Multiple racket throws and audible obscenities
- Numerous interactions with the 5,000-strong crowd
- Controversial video review decisions in the deciding tiebreak
Kyrgios expressed frustration about what he perceived as inconsistent rules regarding video replays, particularly concerning a crucial moment in the tiebreak. "How can you review a ball that's been hit over the net, but you can't review a serve over the net?" he questioned. "Doesn't make any sense."
Match of Shifting Momentum
The encounter saw dramatic momentum swings throughout:
- The first set went to Kubler and Polmans 6-4 despite Kyrgios' typically effective serve
- Kyrgios and Kokkinakis fought back to take the second set 6-4
- In the deciding set, the Special Ks broke for a 3-1 lead and extended to 4-1
- Kokkinakis' shoulder treatment at 4-1 marked a turning point
- Kubler and Polmans fought back to force a tiebreak
- The decisive tiebreak saw the underdogs dominate after controversial early points
Post-Match Reflections
Kyrgios admitted to exhaustion after the match, revealing his immediate plans and uncertainty about his future schedule. "I'm tired," he said. "My goal in the last couple of months was to play all these tournaments, get through some doubles. I've got mixed tomorrow and then I'll re-evaluate what my schedule looks like. That's it. I've ticked all my boxes, all my goals the last month and a half. I've done everything I thought I could do. I don't know. I don't know what I'm going to do."
Umpire's Challenging Night
Umpire Marijana Veljovic had her hands full throughout the evening, dealing with:
- Warning Kyrgios for audible obscenities
- Managing the enthusiastic crowd's behaviour
- Responding to Kyrgios' complaints about sponsorship products
- Repeatedly asking spectators to respect the players during points
The match, originally scheduled for late afternoon, didn't begin until 9pm due to Stan Wawrinka's marathon singles victory earlier in the day. The extended drinking time for spectators contributed to the electric atmosphere that characterised the entire contest.
Despite their injury concerns and limited recent match practice, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis displayed moments of their former brilliance, particularly during the second set and early third set. Kyrgios showed excellent touch at the net, while Kokkinakis began finding his range on returns. However, the physical toll ultimately proved too much as Kubler and Polmans capitalised on their opponents' vulnerabilities to secure a memorable victory.
