ADELAIDE INTERNATIONAL

January 12, 2022

Thanasi Kokkinakis

Press Conference

T. KOKKINAKIS/J. Isner

6-7, 7-6, 7-6

THE MODERATOR: Talk us through the epic win, mate.

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Yeah, I'm stoked. Obviously I knew going into it it was going to be a super tough match. One of the best servers if not the best ever. Got to try to create opportunities when you can.

It's not easy. It's one of the most frustrating things walking side to side, seeing balls go past you. I saw the stat, it was 23 aces but it felt like more to be honest. Just the height at which it comes.

Thought I played pretty good all the way through. I thought I was pretty solid. I don't think he had a breakpoint on my serve, which means I was taking care of my side well.

Again, I created all the chances in the first set. It was a bit unlucky not to win. That's how he's been so good, he wins those one or two points in the breakers.

I was pretty good off the ground today I thought and capitalized when I needed to.

THE MODERATOR: Questions, please.

Q. A huge effort on your part. You were saying walking from side to side as balls are going past you on the serve. How do you keep mentally focused and strong in those situations?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Yeah, you just got to not get too down on yourself. It's part of it. That's what's made him so good for so long. I think one of his serves rebounded off the back and hit me in the head. That sums it up.

Just the height of the ball is just different. Sometimes you feel like you're there, it moves last second. Sometimes you feel like you have a read on his serve on a couple points and then you don't because it is the same ball toss the other way. Very frustrating.

I just had to say if I lose, I'm okay with it. I'm playing okay. I haven't done too much wrong here. I just had to try to create chances and get chances. The Love-15s, if you have sniffs like that, it's so important to get the next point and try to build a bit of pressure. They can sniff out those breakpoints real quick.

Q. Have you changed your goals a little after having such a strong start to the season?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: No. My goal is to just get back in the top hundred as soon as I can. Stay healthy is actually the goal before that. If I do that, I've given myself every chance.

Just enjoy my time on court. It's definitely more enjoyable when you're playing and winning, that's for sure. Playing less on the challies is definitely more enjoyable as well.

Yeah, last year was brutal. Didn't enjoy traveling much last year. I think doing those hard yards have set me up for the results early this year.

As I said the other day, I'm going to have some good weeks, not-so-good weeks. I got to stay focused and remain into it and just have clear goals of where I want to get to and just keep improving. I think if I keep improving, that will take care of itself.

It's a bit of a generic answer, but it is what it is.

Q. How important is it to have been playing these two weeks at home, to get a foot in the door, get the confidence going, courts you're completely familiar with?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Yeah, I mean, I grew up training here when I was sort of eight, nine, 10 years old for ages. Early mornings, squad sessions here. I'm very familiar with the courts. Obviously it's a bit different now with the stands and stadium and everything like that, so it's unreal.

The first professional tournament I've actually played here last week, I missed it in the last couple years due to injury and whatnot. But, yeah, it's awesome having friends and family come down and support me in my hometown. I wish there wasn't this COVID business going on because I think the stands would be packed all the time.

I'm stoked that the people are coming out and supporting me. It's been a great opportunity for me.

Q. How healthy and fit are you feeling at the moment? You're looking like a specimen on the court.

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: I feel good. I feel good. Looking good and feeling good is two different things. Appreciate that (smiling).

No, I feel good. Obviously there's some things when you play so many matches, it's just refreshing mentally. I took a couple days pretty low-key after last week because it was a lot.

But at the moment I think I feel okay. We'll see how I pull up tomorrow. Another long match today. But, yeah, I feel good. I'm in the best shape physically I've been in for a while. As I said, great off-season set me up for this, playing these matches. This is ultimately where I want to be day in, day out. I feel good.

Q. The next match against Vukic, guaranteed of an Australian in the semifinals. What are your thoughts playing him?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: I guess similar game styles. He's had two good wins playing some big servers the last couple days. Vuc came from college. He's improved a lot the last sort of year or so.

He's a good dude. We spent a bit of time out in London when we were allowed outside the bubble, we had some nights out. We know each other pretty well. He's a good guy and should be a tough match for sure.

Q. How do you feel about playing another Australian in the quarterfinals?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Don't know if I can say anything different there. Just what I said just then.

Yeah, it's a good opportunity for Australian tennis. Me being selfish, I would rather be myself in the semis. I don't know. I'm going to try to do everything I can to try to win.

Obviously, as I said before, he's had two good wins. I don't know really what else to say. I kind of answered that. Sorry.

Q. How are you reacting to it all? You're normally a pretty laid-back type of person. I would assume nothing has changed in that regard. Pretty much taking it in your stride?

THANASI KOKKINAKIS: Yeah, no, I haven't done anything yet. I am happy getting some wins on the tour again. Again, I got some goals I want to kind of tick off along the way.

As I said, I missed a big part of my career early on. Just trying to hopefully make that up in the back end and just do as well as I can.

I'm still pretty relaxed, pretty low-key. There's nothing else to it. I take the piss a little bit. I like to joke around. Yeah, that's pretty much it. I try not to take things too seriously. Yeah, I'm trying to enjoy my time on the court and have fun off it.