ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL

January 4, 2022

Thanasi Kokkinakis

Press Conference

T. KOKKINAKIS/J. Millman

6-4, 6-3

THE MODERATOR: How did you feel out there? What made you most pleased about your game tonight?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: I was just happy with my composure. I was able to execute. Worked hard for that break in the first set. I thought I served pretty well for the most part. Yeah, I think my tennis kind of got better. From 3-All in the second set, I played great, kind of did everything I wanted to on the court.

Yeah, just happy. I felt comfortable. Yeah, my game was just working so I was happy with that.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. A lot of players spoke about they're never sure how they're going to go at the start of the season. How pleased were you that you hit your straps the way you did?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Yeah, very happy. I was getting a bit more edgy sort of as the tournament was coming up. I'd been practicing well, but you never know. I was talking to my trainer, to my coaches, going through a racquet change as well that I'm trying out. A lot of news for me. A racquet I've used since I'm kind of literally 10, 11, 12 years old. That was kind of a big change.

Yeah, a lot of nerves, a bit of anxiety before I went out on the court. I think that's normal the first match of the year. I was happy I was able to settle in, find my game. Especially towards the end of the second, everything started working so I was really happy with that.

Q. Do you feel that body of work you had from last year, did you feel that out there, that it benefited you?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Yeah, I think it definitely can't hurt. Last year I came into the season after two years of barely no tennis, one year of absolutely nothing, then the year before I think I played five or so tournaments.

Even though I've been around awhile, it feels like I'm still fairly relatively new, compared to matches played, tennis played, compared to all the other guys sort of my age. I still feel like I've got a lot to give, but last year playing a lot of tough matches in tough conditions, hopefully has set me up for a better year this year.

Q. Can you paint a picture of your travels last year. What was the most random place you found yourself in?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Mate, it was grim, just getting COVID tests, making sure they are within the window before you travel to the next event. Just, yeah, I mean, London. I got my PDF from the test for Wimbledon, they wouldn't accept it at the airport. I got detained in Miami for two hours, three hours, sent in a backroom, because they canceled my ESTA for no reason.

Mate, that is just a short glimpse of what traveling was like. It was real grim. But people have it worse, so...

Q. Does it help looking to a new season knowing that the shoe's on the other foot, you're finally in your own backyard?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: I think it helps massively. I know I wouldn't want to live anywhere else, but if I was home and grown from Europe or something, geez, it makes it easier. I left real early March, maybe even 1st of March, I can't exactly remember. I got back early November, sort of in the first week of November. That's a nine-month stint of traveling. But it's something I knew I had to do.

Definitely much easier. Guys, if they lose first week, they go home for a week until the next tournament. In Europe they can actually drive to the next tournament, it is only a few hours away a lot of spots. Obviously us, we got no idea what we're doing. We travel with the team. Their teams can go home, maybe relax. They don't have to pay for them per week, they can pay for them for a day. If they lose, kind of go to the next tournament.

It's definitely tough on Aussie, but as I say, I love Australia, so it's a balancing thing.

Q. Have you had any update on the AO wild card?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Mate, I haven't heard still. They'll probably wait till the day before the matches start to give it out. I'm just joking. Being an idiot (smiling).

Q. Did yourself some favors tonight.

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Who knows. As I said, I said this to Wally on the phone the other day, I really hope I'm not having this conversation where I'm not even kind of waiting for a phone call. I hope I put myself in the top hundred and I don't have to rely on anyone. That's the ultimate goal.

I'd like to think a win like tonight again puts me in a good spot if I haven't already been in a good spot.

Q. (Question about playing Tiafoe.)

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Yeah, I mean, I can't look into it too much. When we played I think it was four, five years ago. He's developed into a great player. He was already a good player back then, but now he's doing really well.

Seems like he's got everything clicking, gotten more professional. Especially the back end of last year, he has had a great year, and I am sure he is fired up ready to go.

Me and him have been mates for a long time. We have the same management. He's one of the sort of guys I hang around and hang out with sort of away from a tennis court. He's a good dude, really energetic, obviously a great player. Yeah, it should be a fun match.

I don't know if I answered your question there at all. The key to playing the player is kind of the same thing I try to do usually, play on my terms. I think I have the firepower to beat these guys. Hopefully I have enough and execute tomorrow.