Yet another injury has not stopped Australia's Thanasi Kokkinakis from qualifying for the season-opening Brisbane International.
Despite nursing knee soreness, the 22-year-old secured his spot in Brisbane's main draw for the first time in four years after downing qualifying's third- seeded Chilean Christian Garin 6-2, 6-4 on Sunday.
Step by step: Thanasi Kokkinakis is on the comeback trail after injury.Credit:Alex Ellinghausen
Kokkinakis has boosted Australia's contingent in the men's draw to eight which also includes his good mate and defending champion Nick Kyrgios.
Kokkinakis revealed he was still feeling the effects of a damaged knee cap suffered back in April when he tripped over an on-court advertising barrier while playing in the Monte Carlo Masters.
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The former world No.69 required more treatment in the off-season but is showing no signs of slowing down in Brisbane, determined to make up for lost time.
The former world No.69 required more treatment in the off-season but is showing no signs of slowing down in Brisbane, determined to make up for lost time.
He successfully returned to the tour in 2018 following a string of injuries that kept him sidelined for the best part of two years.
Despite his freak Monte Carlo injury, Kokkinakis has this year enjoyed his best season since 2015, which includes a shock win over Swiss great Roger Federer at the Miami Open in March.
Kokkinakis fell out of the top 1000 at the end of 2016 but has now lifted his ranking to world No.150 ahead of the Brisbane tournament.
AAP
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