Tennis

Thanasi Kokkinakis opens up on Rafael Nadal text message after US Open injury withdrawal


Thanasi Kokkinakis says he appreciates a message he received from Rafael Nadal after pulling out of their US Open second round match with a right shoulder injury.

Kokkinakis won his first Grand Slam match in four years on Tuesday to book a showdown with Nadal on Arthur Ashe Stadium this evening.

But just hours before the two players were due on court, it was announced the match was off and Nadal was through to the third round.

Before departing the US Open, Kokkinakis spoke to the media and revealed he had a feeling he may need to withdraw when he woke up and struggled to put on his socks.

Kokkinakis did not see Nadal before telling officials he was defaulting but told reporters he has a text from the 18-time Grand Slam champion on his phone.

“I didn’t see him. I was just in the doctor room having an ultrasound and then I made the call,” he said.

“I think he actually just sent me a message though.

“I got a message from a ‘Rafael’. I was like ‘who? I don’t know this person’.

“And then it actually dawned. That’s nice of him. I haven’t read it fully yet but if it is him, hopefully, it is not some troll. But if it is him I appreciate that and I wish him all the best for the tournament.”

The likes of Andy Murray and Juan Martin del Potro have been similarily unlucky with injury over the past few years.

But while Kokkinakis said he has been in touch with the British star, he is reluctant to talk too much about his ‘sob story’

“I spoke to Andy a little bit but I don’t want to give everyone my sob story and I’m sure he doesn’t want to give me his,” he said.

“The difference is with those guys I feel like they actually had a healthy start to their career, they were able to play and then once they were at the top then sometimes the injuries derailed them.

“I haven’t been able to climb that mountain which has been the frustrating part.

“Benjamin Button – I hope I’m in reverse, that’s what I’m really hoping for but we’ll see. I have to work for it and see what happens.”

Nadal will face either Fernando Verdasco or Hyeon Chung on Saturday for a place in the fourth round.



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