Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis surprised everyone when the two won the Australian Open doubles this year. It just meant that the two had it in them to win doubles matches at the highest level. Therefore, when the two decided to play the Wimbledon doubles, it looked like another grand slam was coming their way.
However, Kyrgios decided to pull out of the doubles event after his singles match against Filip Krajinović. Kyrgios won the match in straight sets but was exhausted after the match. He hinted during the post-match press conference that he might not play the doubles event. And sure enough, that is what he did.
Nick Kyrgios & Thanasi Kokkinakis have withdrawn from the doubles.
From the sound of things, at the behest of Kyrgios, who says he was “going to do whatever’s best for me and my singles right now”.
When I tell you Catherine & I are PRAYING for Korpatsch-esque insta statements.
— The Tennis Podcast (@TennisPodcast) June 30, 2022
When asked about why he decided to pull out, Kyrgios said, “I played nearly four hours in my first round. Me personally, it was just too much time on court. Today I made up for that. But I want to put my singles as my priority. I’m doing what’s best for my body.”
Kyrgios’ partner Kokkinakis lost in the second round in the singles event against Djokovic. He failed to match Djokovic’s level of play and lost the match in straight sets.
Nick Kyrgios accuses the media of spinning the story
After it became official that Kyrgios and Kokkinakis would not be participating in the doubles event, rumors of their rift started spreading around. Kyrgios went on to accuse the media of spinning the narrative to create unnecessary controversy.
Furthermore, he said, “You know, this is where the media also spin it. I’m a singles player. My priority has always been singles. I’ve made quarterfinals here before, I’ve won singles titles. I’ve obviously put singles as my priority.”
This should be ENTERTAINING 😍
🇦🇺 Nick Kyrgios 🆚 [4] Stefanos Tsitsipas 🇬🇷#Wimbledon | @Wimbledon pic.twitter.com/cnxx5X1xA5
— Eurosport (@eurosport) June 30, 2022
While Kyrgios did win his second-round match with ease, his real test starts with the next round. He will face Greek tennis star Stefanos Tsitsipas in the third round. Kyrgios and Tsitsipas have faced each other four times in the past and Kyrgios leads the head-to-head 3-1.
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