TOKYO – Yonex Co., Ltd. is proud to announce the addition of Thanasi Kokkinakis (AUS) to Team Yonex.
Kokkinakis began testing Yonex racquets in the 2021/22 off season, finding the 7th-generation EZONE racquet to suit him best. Still unsure about the performance in competition, Kokkinakis took the court at the Adelaide International 1 with a blacked-out EZONE.
Playing in front of his hometown, Kokkinakis reached the semifinals of an ATP-level event for the first time since July 2017. A week later at the Adelaide International 2, another ATP 250 event, Kokkinakis won his first-career ATP title.
It was a dream come true.
“I’ve been playing and practicing on this court since I was eight or nine years old, coming here before school every day,” said Kokkinakis. “I love this court so much.”
The Aussie kept dreaming. After bowing out in the first round of the Australian Open days later, Kokkinakis teamed up with his childhood friend, Nick Kyrgios in doubles.
The duo made history, becoming the first wildcard team to win the Australian Open men's doubles title in the professional era and the first all-Aussie doubles champions in Melbourne since 1997.
Kokkinakis saw his ranking soar. From World No. 171 to begin the 2022 season to World No. 84, Kokkinakis is inching up on his career-high ranking of 69, which he reached in 2015.
"Yonex’s support of me has been tremendous,” said Kokkinakis. “I’m so happy to have found a racquet that suits my game best and to have had the results I’ve had already. I don’t take anything for granted and can’t wait to see what the future holds.”
Thanasi’s Gear
Racquet: EZONE 98
Overgrip: Super Grap
Bag: Pro Series