Newcombe: Kokkinakis the next big thing

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Is Nick Kyrgios the (only) big thing in tennis Australia? Not really… keep an eye on Thanasi Kokkinakis.

Kyrgios hit the headlines in 2014 after winning 3 challengers and defeating Rafael Nadal in Wimbledon, but the tennis world should not forget that his great friend Thanasi Kokkinakis could be also the next big one.

As a junior Thanasi reached 2 Grand Slam Finals in 2013 (Australian Open and US Open) and now he is alsoa firm member of the Australian Davis Cup Team.

Newcombe: He will make a move

John Newcombe commented “He [Kokkinakis] is going to make a move next year. I think he’s the same as Nick, certainly with a potential to be top 20, top 10, top four or five in the world.

In some ways, he might have a slightly better all-round game. Not quite as much explosive power as Nick.

It might take Thanasi an extra year to get it, but I think he’ll make good inroads next year. I’d be very surprised if he’s not well entrenched in the top 100 by the end of next year.”

Comparing Kokkinakis with Kyrgios

Thanasi is now ranked no.150. (Nick is no.52). Kokkinakis is 3 centimeters taller than Kyrgios (1.96 vs 1.93) and he is 1 year younger.

THANASI AT THE 2014 AUSTRALIAN OPEN

 


 

PLAYING THE DAVIS CUP VS. FRANCE

 

HERE WITH HIS GREAT FRIEND KYRGIOS