Adelaide local Thanasi Kokkinakis wins his first ATP title
Home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis claimed the first ATP title of his career on Saturday after downing fellow big-server Arthur Rinderknech in three sets at the Adelaide International final.
Your 2022 #AdelaideTennis champions 🏆@Madison_Keys x @TKokkinakis
We can't wait to see you both at #AO2022 💙#AusOpen pic.twitter.com/DpdTsRVx2M
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2022
The Australian prevailed 6-7 (8/6), 7-6 (7/5), 6-3 in two hours and 38 minutes.
“I wouldn’t want to win my first title anywhere else… I’ve been practising on this court since I was nine years old,” Kokkinakis said at the awards presentation.
Welcome to the trophy club, @TKokkinakis 🏆
The world No.145 wins his maiden ATP Tour title, defeating Arthur Rinderknech 6-7(6) 7-6(5) 6-3 to be crowned the 2022 #AdelaideTennis men's singles champion.
Next: #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/baem5VjkpJ
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 15, 2022
“To do it in Adelaide, a court I grew up playing on when I was seven, eight, nine years old, my hometown, in front of friends and family, they’ve had a tough year, ridden the ups and downs with me, yeah, I’m so happy.” @TKokkinakis
Read more 👉 https://t.co/1QeQgLmsf9 pic.twitter.com/uXTO2k4juj
— Adelaide International (@AdelaideTennis) January 15, 2022
In-form Kokkinakis had beaten former US Open champion Marin Cilic in a three-set semi-final nerve-jangler on Friday in what has been an impressive start to what he hopes is a breakout season.
In his first final in five years, Kokkinakis overcame the Frenchman’s pyrotechnics with the help of his home fans.
Thanasi Thanatics 🤩
The Adelaide crowds are showing up in full force to support SA local @TKokkinakis 💪
Get your tickets to his second chance at a spot in the final 👉 https://t.co/C4OF6SD6EN#AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/6SWI9noeVu
— Adelaide International (@AdelaideTennis) January 14, 2022
He plays German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann in the first round of the Australian Open.
While Rinderknech meets Australian Alexei Popyrin in his opener.