Google News Thanasi Kokkinakis reveals message Novak Djokovic sent him after winning Adelaide
by DZEVAD MESIC | VIEW 4661
Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis revealed Novak Djokovic congratulated him on winning his maiden ATP title in Adelaide. Kokkinakis, 25, beat Arthur Rinderknech in the Adelaide 2 final to lift his first ATP title in his hometown.
After the final, Kokkinakis was congratulated by Djokovic and Roger Federer. "Congrats on your maiden title in your hometown, Thanasi. After all the hardship injuries have caused you, I'm sure this feels even sweeter! Great for tennis.
Good luck in Melbourne," Djokovic said in a message sent to Kokkinakis.
Novak Djokovic also congratulated Thanasi Kokkinakis on his maiden title. 🙌 pic.twitter.com/nvuWukPI0s — Jedd Zetzer (@JeddZetzer) January 16, 2022
Kokkinakis was absolutely thrilled after winning Adelaide
“When I saw that final ball went long, I don’t think I’ve ever felt emotions like that,” Kokkinakis reflected.
“You grow up playing, you never know if it’s ever going to happen. I made one (ATP) final before. “Down a set, down a mini break in the breaker. From then on, from 2-0 in the second set, I started to play really good tennis.
“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”.
Kokkinakis overcame a number of injury setbacks before winning his first ATP title. “Just many, many emotions. Just relief. Happy. Not just for myself and the work I put in, but everyone that stuck by me. They see me at my lowest points,” Kokkinakis said.
“To ride this high, it’s just validation, just happiness for everyone involved. It’s as much their title as it is mine. “Just emotions boiled over. I started to get little feelings of it when I got up a break in the third set.
I tried to stay as composed at possible. I started serving great. “I know how hard it is serving out matches, maybe serving out a title. I just decided to stay with it and break for the win”.
