AUSTRALIAN OPEN

January 18, 2023

Thanasi Kokkinakis

Press Conference

T. KOKKINAKIS/F. Fognini

6-1, 6-2, 6-2

THE MODERATOR: Welcome to the press conference of Thanasi Kokkinakis. A lot of waiting, a lot of delays these two days. Could you briefly share with us how you have been adjusting these two days?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Yeah, tricky circumstances for sure. I thought mentally I was in a good spot coming out from the start. I would have loved to have gotten that finished sort of late last night, even if we stayed a bit longer. But that's all right. I was ready to go again.

I didn't get much sleep. I've never been in that sort of position before. But, yeah, just tried to stay focused and worry about myself and happy to get through. Especially the first -- or until I come out for the rains, I was playing great, focused, and composed. Yeah, just happy with how I'm playing.

THE MODERATOR: Any questions?

Q. Hi, Nick.

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Wow.

Q. Nick is out, so you are the favorite for the Greek Aussies.

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: I hope so. I am the only one left (laughter).

Q. Tell us, what do you think about your message to them? How much support do you need from them, and if you have anything to say to them in Greek?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: You should ask Nick (laughter).

No, no, I'm happy. Efharisto. That's all I can say. Thank you for coming out and supporting. I love the Greek support here. It's good. I get the best of both worlds being in Australia. A lot of Greek population, especially in Melbourne. I'm super happy when they come out and support me.

Aussies, Greeks, anyone else, if they want to support me, I'm all for it. It's great having their support, and hopefully I can keep riding the wave.

Q. Thanasi, what are your thoughts on going in against Andy?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Yeah, it's going to be a tough match. I've played him a while ago in Davis Cup. Yeah, he definitely handed it to me that day, but I'm ready now. I feel good.

It's going to be a tough match obviously. I watched a fair bit of his match against Berrettini, and he played great. He is looking in good shape. I practiced with him a fair bit recently.

Just going to continue to play my game. He may have lost a little bit, but his anticipation is just as good as ever, and he can still play at the top of the best of them.

I'm going to be ready for the best version of Murray, and, yeah, I'm going to go out there and play my game, play aggressive, and hopefully come out best.

Q. A lot of people who were watching the match were sort of a bit confused about Fabio's performance and sort of questioning whether he was really giving it everything he got. Playing against him, did you get the impression he was giving it everything?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: I mean, I've played him three times now, and I'm 3-0. Unless he has tanked every time...

I'm playing good. I served well. I felt like I really didn't give him any chances. I don't know what he is feeling or how he is doing it, but he has been top-10. Who knows?

A lot of guys like that sort of come in and out. If you look at some of the break points, there's balls that people would be tanking on, wouldn't run out and try to hustle them back.

Yeah, I don't really care, to be honest, whether people think he tanked or not. I'm through to the second round. That's all that matters.

Q. There's a video of you getting some coaching from Andy Murray maybe at the US Open last year.

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Winston-Salem, yeah.

Q. Can you talk about your personal relationship with him. He is obviously from a different generation of player, but I wonder if you have talked much about the game, about your perspective battling with injury and that sort of thing?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Andy is someone I respect a great amount. Obviously he has been at the top of the game, and he can relate a little bit with the injury side of things. I missed a fair few years, and so has he, especially recently.

He was someone when I came onto tour that was always willing to give some advice when he thought. I practiced with him a fair bit, I played double with him at Indian Wells, so we have a fairly good relationship.

We get along really well. I actually really like him off the court. I remember watching him when I was younger thinking this dude looks moody as hell, he looks miserable. Then when you got to know him, he is actually a ripper bloke and a good guy.

Yeah, put all that aside and give it a crack tomorrow. But someone I have the utmost respect for.

Q. Can you believe that Andy has a metal hip and he is still playing at 35? What do you think that says about his character, determination? He hasn't quit yet.

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Whether he had a metal hip or not, I don't think you needed to question his character. What he's done in the sport, his resilience, how he plays and how he gets after matches and his effort and dedication to the sport speaks highly of him.

Yeah, I don't know, at times I wish I had metal body parts. They might have held up a little bit better. Who knows (smiling).

Everyone has their own thing to deal with. I definitely wouldn't say my physique is A1 all the time. I feel if there's anyone that can relate to injuries, it's Andy. I don't think he's the only one battling a few things.

Q. Will you seek any advice or tips from fellow players before facing Andy tomorrow? Do you hope to get on a big show court, the support of the Aussie crowd?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Yeah, I mean, hopefully. Hopefully I can use the home crowd advantage. Might ask a couple guys. Practiced with him a lot, played with him a lot. It's just going to come down to executing on the day. I've seen him a lot on TV, know him pretty well.

Yeah, I don't think it changes too much who I play, to be honest. If I play my game and I do that well, I give myself a chance.