Unseeded Australian tennis player Thanasi Kokkinakis delighted the home crowd in Melbourne with a thrilling four-set victory over Russian Roman Safiullin.

Kokkinakis battled through a tough opening set before roaring back to win 3-6, 6-3, 6-3, 7-6 (7/5) in front of a lively crowd at Kia Arena.

A Grateful Kokkinakis Reflects on Home Court Advantage

After his hard-fought victory, Kokkinakis couldn’t contain his gratitude for the incredible support he received from the Australian fans.

“It was just an unbelievable feeling to get in front of that crowd again,” Kokkinakis said, his voice filled with emotion.

“The roar, the atmosphere—they really willed me on, just like they’ve done so many times before. It’s

a memory I won’t forget.”

The electric energy from the crowd made the victory even more special, and Kokkinakis expressed how much it fueled his performance.

The Pressure of Performing at Home

Kokkinakis opened up about the pressure of playing in front of a home crowd, sharing that the anticipation before a big match can be overwhelming.

“There’s definitely a lot of pressure.

I didn’t sleep great last night.

There was a little bit of anxiety coming out, but it was a lot of excitement too,” he admitted.

Part of the pressure comes from the sacrifices his family has made to support his tennis journey.

“Living here, I’ve got so many friends and family coming to watch,” he continued.

“Thinking about my family and how much time and money my parents invested in me growing up—it all hits you when you’re out on the court.

It’s a really special feeling.”

Kokkinakis Stays Committed to Doubles Despite Injury

Despite battling through physical discomfort, Kokkinakis remains committed to playing doubles alongside his good friend Nick Kyrgios.

The duo has become a fan favorite, and Kokkinakis wants to deliver for the fans who’ve shown so much support over the years.

“Unless my arms are falling off, I’ll get out there,” Kokkinakis said with a grin.

“We owe it to the public and to the people who love watching us play together.”

The pressure is on, but Kokkinakis is determined to do what he loves, no matter the physical toll it may take.

Looking Ahead to the Next Challenge

Kokkinakis’ next challenge in the tournament is rising British star Jack Draper, and he knows it will be a tough battle.

“Jack’s a great player,” he said.

“It’s going to be a fight, for sure.

I just hope my body holds up, and I can give my best performance.”

With the energy of the crowd and the drive to keep pushing forward, Kokkinakis is ready to take on whatever comes next in his Australian Open journey.

Dave Marshall is covering the 2025 Australian Open in Melbourne exclusively for The South African website.

This article was published on TDPel Media. Thanks for reading!

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