SEPT 20 - 22, 2024 | BERLIN
Thanasi Kokkinakis returns to Laver Cup after a seven-year hiatus, having suited up as an alternate alongside the inaugural Team World in Prague in 2017. In Berlin, the Australian is eager to bank his first-ever points for Captain John McEnroe’s team.
How it’s going
The world No.78 arrives in Germany with a string of upsets under his belt, having defeated Jakub Mensik and Arthur Fils in Davis Cup competition last week, Team Europe’s Stefanos Tsitsipas in the first round of the US Open and Gael Monfils in Montreal last month.
Kokkinakis stunned Felix Auger-Aliassime in the first round of Wimbledon and, at Roland Garros, fought past countryman Alexei Popyrin, who recently conquered Novak Djokovic at the US Open. The 28-year-old led Taylor Fritz by two sets to love before falling in five in the third round at Roland Garros, and at the Australian Open bested Sebastian Ofner in another five-setter.
The big server also notched victories over higher-ranked Brits Dan Evans and Jack Draper in Los Cabos, Mexico, Marcos Giron in Indian Wells, and countrymen Max Purcell and Aleksandar Vukic in Washington D.C.
The motivation to play Laver Cup
“It’s a sick event,” said Kokkinakis, adding that he loved his experience as an alternate in Prague. “I don’t think anyone knew what to expect, but it was cool – all-black court, new vibe, new atmosphere. It’s just taken off since,” he said.
“Who knew six years later that I’d have the opportunity to play,” said the Adelaide-born right-hander.
“To get a call up … I couldn’t be happier,” said the 6’4” Kokkikanis, acknowledging that he’ll be shoulder to shoulder with the best players in the world at what he described as a prestigious event. “I got the offer, and I was like, ‘I’m not turning this down’.”
Kokkinakis said he’s aware the packed stands at Uber Arena will favor Team Europe. Still, “I think the atmosphere will be pretty special,” he said.
The key to winning Laver Cup
Laver Cup is all about team effort, according to the Australian. “That’s everything, the format lends itself to the last day being the most important with the most points at stake,” he said. “Every point is important.” Kokkinakis knows he can contribute to victory by causing upsets, and he plans to derive support from strong camaraderie on the bench.
“I’ve got to do my job on the court…hopefully we can get rowdy,” said Kokkinakis, who is expecting a thrilling atmosphere. “I like having a bit more fun with my mates on the sideline,” he said.
“A lot of these boys I get along with really well, some of my closest mates on Tour as well.”
Role on Team World
Kokkinakis said he loved being the “glue guy” in Prague, a term used to describe someone who communicates well and holds together a team by providing encouragement and advice, and by all accounts, it’s a role he will take up again this year.
While seeking wins in singles, doubles or both, Kokkinakis said he plans to be a valuable resource to his teammates. He wants to be the kind of player his team can relay information to or bounce ideas off. “I’m pretty open to talk,” he said. “I love having fun and hopefully just trying to make everyone feel good.”
Kokkinakis said he’s looking forward to representing Team World under Captain John McEnroe’s stewardship, whom he hit with in Adelaide when he was 14 at the World Tennis Challenge.
“I played a couple of sets with him; it was a pretty fun time. What better guy to lead the team?” he said, applauding the American for steering Team World to two Laver Cup victories despite facing a “stacked” Team Europe each year.
