He hadn’t tasted victory at Roland Garros for eight years and needed a wildcard just to get into the main draw in 2023, but Aussie Thanasi Kokkinakis defied a series of shocking injuries to reach second trip to Paris overnight.
It was the first time Kokkinakis had won at Roland Garros since reaching the third round as a teenager in 2015 – an extraordinary 2,922 days ago – before finally falling to eventual champion Novak Djokovic.
Now ranked 108th in the world, Kokkinakis had to avoid a furious Evans comeback to claim the remarkable win in straight sets.
The Australian needed a wildcard just to compete in this year’s French Open but overcame years of injuries and bad luck to claim a decisive victory on clay in Paris.
Kokkinakis was just a teenager when he last won a match at Roland Garros, reaching the third round in 2015 before finally losing to Novak Djokovic – 2922 days ago
‘He is a quality player. It was always going to be messy. Doing it in straight sets is huge. I’m just very happy with this win,” Kokkinakis said.
“He’s just very consistent throughout the year and especially in the last five or six years he’s been at the top of the game. He’s a good competitor.
Kokkinakis has enjoyed the dizzying heights of the ATP Tour, winning the 2022 Australian Open doubles with great friend and fellow Aussie Nick Kyrgios.
But the tennis gods have rarely shone on the unlucky Aussie, with injuries punctuating his career and preventing him from fulfilling his potential.
KOKK HAS LOST HIS SHIRT
Thanasi Kokkinakis celebrates victory
While he may not have figuratively lost his jersey in his win over Evans, Kokkinakis literally lost it.
The Australian star had sent his game shirts to be washed and they disappeared, forcing him to dig up an old shirt from January.
“I couldn’t wear what I needed to wear. It was hard. They have been looking for them since this morning,” he said.
‘I am an idiot. I wear all my shirts because they usually shrink a bit (after washing) and I prefer them that way. Stupid idea.
And if Kokkinakis wants to move up the rankings in Paris, he’s going to need more luck than ever after receiving one of the most brutal draws imaginable.
luckier than ever after receiving one of the most brutal draws imaginable.
In the second round, three-time Grand Slam champion Stan Wawrinka or Spanish clay court veteran Albert Ramos-Viñolas will be waiting.
Beyond that are likely 11th seed Karen Khachanov, seventh seed Andrey Rublev, Djokovic and world No. 1 Carlos Alcaraz.
“Somebody sent me my way to the final, obviously ambitious, but it’s one of the toughest draws I’ve ever seen,” Kokkinakis said.
“But I probably didn’t expect to win today either, so I’ll rest, recover and see what I can do.”
After suffering so many injuries in the first half of his career, Kokkinakis is confident he has finally found his body.
And the Aussie is confident that if he can keep it that way, he can enjoy a stronger second half of his career – starting on the clay courts of Paris.
“When it feels like half your career has somehow been taken away from you, you hope you can get a little bit of it back,” the 27-year-old said.
“As long as my body is able to… we’ll see. There was a time when we didn’t think I would play any longer and I was 22. I’m 27 now and who knows? Winning is addictive and losing makes you want to quit tennis.
“I know I can’t do this forever. Whatever I choose, I try not to take it for granted…I know where I was many years ago when I lacked and had no opportunities.
“You never know, but I find it hard to see myself playing like those guys you see playing after 35, 36 years. There are so many trips, from Australia all the time. Your social life pretty much goes out the window.
Storm Hunter faced a tough task against Spain’s Nuria Parrizas Diaz but managed to come back from a set down to book her place in the second round of French Open.
Jason Kubler continued his strong run of recent form but had to dig deep to beat Argentina’s Facundo Diaz Acosta in five sets.
Fellow Australian Jason Kubler also advanced to the second round after defeating Argentinian Lucky Loser Facundo Diaz Acosta in a five-set epic.
Storm Hunter has ensured there will also be an Australian in the second round of the women’s draw, coming back after losing the opening set to claim victory over Spain’s Nuria Parrizas-Diaz.
Wildcard entry Kim Birrell was not so lucky at her first French Open, losing in three sets to local Leolia Jeanjean.
18th seed Alex de Minaur, Alexei Popyrin and Chris O’Connell will all feature on day two along with Max Purcell and Jordan Thompson in an all-Australian showdown.
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