“I wouldn’t want to do this with anyone else,” Nick Kyrigos said after winning the 2022 Australian Open doubles title with Thanasi Kokkinakis.
On Monday, in order to advance to the second round of the US Open, one of the two very good friends must do it against the other, rather than with the other. In the night session in Arthur Ashe stadium, the two Aussies will square off against each other in the first round of the US Open.
Their matchup draws close attention from fans and recalls historic matches between friends and family from past years.
Nick Kyrgios vs Thanasi Kokkinakis
Friendship First
After winning the doubles in Australia, both players quickly recognized the victory as the highlight of their career. Each cited their friendship as the main reason they felt this way.
“My brother, let’s give ’em a good show,” Kyrgios said to Kokkinakis via social media after the pairing was announced.
Though the countrymen have never met in ATP level competition, they have known each other since they were children.
Past Matchups
The match up between the two good friends is not the first time family or friends are clashing in high level tennis.
Brothers John and Patrick McEnroe played each other three times in pro circuit matches. The elder John won all three. John also played childhood friend Vitus Gerulaitis 14 times, including the 1979 US Open final. McEnroe won the final and took 11 of the 14 matches played.
On the WTA Tour, Alison Van Uytvanck defeated Greet Minnen when the two players were dating each other in 2021.
No pairing of friends and family made more headlines than Serena and Venus Williams. The megastar sisters played each other 31 times as professionals, including nine Grand Slam finals. Serena holds the overall edge 19-12 and won seven of the nine Slam finals.
2022 Seasons
Kyrgios enters the match as the favorite. The enigmatic 27-year-old has had a strong 2022 season. The #23 seed brings a 31-9 singles record to Flushing. Additionally, Kyrgios reached his first Grand Slam final this year at Wimbledon and won the North American hard-court event in Washington D.C.
While Kyrgios has had a near break-out year, Kokkinakis also brings recent success to the season’s final major. He has won a career high 16 singles matches this season, including wins over Diego Schwartzman, Marin Cilic, and John Isner.
Opponents and Teammates
On paper Kyrgios is the favorite, still the match up will certainly be difficult for both of these mid-20s veterans. Kyrgios, known for struggling with his emotions on the court at times will need to keep his focus in order to fend off his friend.
Having shown some improvements in on-court maturity, the bombastic Aussie should be able to do so on Monday, but it will not be easy.
Regardless of the outcome of the match, the players are expected to re-unite later in the week for the doubles competition.
Normally, if a player struggles with emotions on the court, they can check for a supportive nod or look from a nearby friend. This time, a very close friend will be just over the net, hoping to win the same match.
Main Photo from Getty.
