Australian player Thanasi Kokkinakis has returned to Melbourne after what he says is his most successful year on the ATP Tour.
Kokkinakis travelled nine months straight this year and it paid off, with the 28-year-old making it past the first round at all four Grand Slam tournaments for the first time in one season.
He finished the year ranked 77th.
“I’ve had a higher ranking to where I finished up, but I felt like as far as consistency and big wins, as far as the tennis is concerned, it was as good as I ever have been,” he said.
Kokkinakis will enjoy a few days off and start his pre-season in Melbourne, and he hopes to build on the success of this year in 2025.
“I feel like my tennis is right there with the big guys,” he said. “I feel like I’m really knocking on the door and I’m close.
“I’m not going to take my foot of the gas.”
Kokkinakis has always been a fan favourite at the Australian Open, especially after he won the doubles title with his lifelong friend Nick Kyrgios back in 2022.
The pair defeated fellow Australians Matt Ebden and Max Purcell 7-5 6-4 in a final that gripped the nation.
With Kyrgios making his return to the Australian Open next January, Kokkinakis hasn’t ruled out a potential return to the doubles court with his mate.
“Doubles is a tricky one,” he said.
“Everyone loved it last time and it was so much fun. But singles is definitely going to be a priority for us.
“But we do feel like we owe it to people to have some fun again out there. We will play it by ear and see how we go.”
Kokkinakis was at Melbourne Park on Thursday to announce the renewal of the Australian Open’s long-standing partnership with Piper-Heidsieck.
After six successful years, the new deal spans another three years and ensures Piper-Heidsieck will remain the Official Champagne of the tournament – and an AO favourite – until at least 2027.
Kokkinakis has also signed on as a Piper-Heidsieck ambassador alongside Ayan Broomfield. Broomfield, girlfriend of ATP star Frances Tiafoe, is a former college tennis player who served as Venus Williams’ body double in the Oscar-winning tennis biopic King Richard.
The launch was attended by Australian Open tournament director Craig Tiley, Tennis Australia’s Chief Commercial Officer Cedric Cornelis, and Rob Hassan from Oatley Fine Wines.
“The partnership with Piper-Heidsieck feels natural to me,” Kokkinakis said.
“They’re about doing things differently and celebrating boldness… I don’t think anyone could argue that fits my personality both on and off the court.”
Craig Tiley welcomed Piper-Heidsieck back to the Australian Open.
"From the vibrant energy at the Piper-Heidsieck bar to the celebratory toasts in our champions’ post-victory press conferences, Piper-Heidsieck has become a symbol of the fun and excitement that defines the Australian Open," he said.