Kyrgios partnered Kokkinakis in the men’s doubles competition at the Australian Open last month. The duo ended up winning the tournament, beating compatriots Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell in the final.
Kyrgios and Kokkinakis are the first Australian pair to win the men’s doubles event at the Melbourne Slam since Todd Woodbridge and Mark Woodforde in 1997.
Kyrgios’ good run of form is why many were surprised when he couldn’t find a place in Australia’s Davis Cup squad, which will be led by Lleyton Hewitt. The squad includes Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin, John Peers, Thanasi Kokkinakis and Luke Saville.
But Kokkinakis recently stated that his doubles partner wasn’t “snubbed” from Australia’s Davis Cup squad, despite what several news reports suggested. Kyrgios supposedly has a “few things” going on, which is why he couldn’t commit to the tournament.
Kokkinakis further talked about how much Kyrgios enjoys turning out for his country, and how the Aussie team would be much stronger if the 26-year-old was in it.
Australia face Hungary in the Davis Cup qualifying round
Australia will take on Hungary at Sydney’s Ken Rosewall Arena in the qualifying round of this year’s Davis Cup. The latter team’s squad features Marton Fucsovics, Fabian Maroszan, Zsombor Piros, Mate Valkusz and Peter Fajta.
Australia had also faced Hungary in the group stages of last year’s Davis Cup Finals, in Turin. The Hungarians took the lead after Piros beat John Millman 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, but Alex de Minaur leveled the score by defeating Fucsovics 7-5, 2-6, 7-6.
Australia won the tie after their doubles duo of Alex Bolt and John Peers beat Maroszan and Piros 6-3, 6-7, 6-3. But the win was small consolation for the Aussies as they finished second in their group, having previously lost 3-0 to Croatia.
Australia will be the on-paper favorites to beat Hungary when they face each other on 4 March this year, as they have higher ranked players in both singles and doubles.
0 votes
