Kokkinakis Edges Korda in Thrilling Comeback Win: 'I'll See How I Wake Up Tomorrow'

Kokkinakis Powers Back from Injury Layoff to Claim Emotional Adelaide Victory, Balancing Relief, Pain, and Caution

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Adrien Guyot

le 13/01/2026 à 16h14

2 min to read

Adélaïde Kokkinakis Thanasi Korda Sebastian

Winning return for Thanasi Kokkinakis on the ATP Tour. The Australian, who underwent shoulder surgery and hadn't played since the Australian Open 2025, took to the court for his first match in nearly a year.

At the Adelaide ATP 250, the 29-year-old outlasted Sebastian Korda in a first-round battle (3-6, 6-3, 7-6). Hitting 37 winners, the 2022 champion of this same event over Arthur Rinderknech will face Valentin Vacherot for a quarterfinal spot.

Securing his first victory since beating Roman Safiullin in the first round of last year's Australian Open, he reflected on the match against the American. Kokkinakis finally defeated Korda for the first time in four career meetings.

"Today's pain was different from last year's"

"My tennis improved as the match progressed, and I felt more and more confident from the baseline, but after the first set, everything felt too fast for me.

It's not illogical since I hadn't played in a long time. The comfort I felt from the baseline was the key to the win. My right arm has caused me countless injuries throughout my career.

There are a lot of 'what ifs?', especially in my head, but this time, it didn't let me down. I know small pains are normal, but what I felt goes beyond logic. Mentally, it's very tough. I spent the whole year in rehab, trying to fix everything.

I had surgery. The pain today was different from last year's. I'll see how I wake up tomorrow. It's a reality check. In a way, it definitely takes the shine off the victory. I know my tennis is at a good level.

"I need my arm for my tennis to keep up"

I've been training really well for a long time: I just need my arm and shoulder to hold up, and I'm doing everything I can to make that happen. I don't think it's time to celebrate the win just yet.

This is my first match in 12 months and I'm trying to build match fitness, but these pains spoil the victory. I need my arm for my tennis to follow.

Under normal circumstances, I'd be celebrating, screaming with joy after a match like that, but I felt like I was on autopilot. Now, all my focus will be on how my body feels physically," Kokkinakis said, according to comments reported by Tennis World Italia.