Kokkinakis Captures First ATP Title, Beats Rinderknech

After suffering through years of injuries, ailments and setbacks, Thanasi Kokkinakis completed the best week of his tennis life capturing his first ATP title beating Arthur Rinderknech 6-7(6), 7-6(5) 6-3.

Now 25, the Adelaide native saved two match points in a semifinal thriller against Marin Cilic, then came from a set down and points away from defeat in the final.

“When I saw that final ball went long, I don’t think I’ve ever felt emotions like that,” Kokkinakis said.

“You grow up playing, you never know if it’s ever going to happen. I made one 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.”

The 145th-ranked Kokkinakis climbed back from a mini-break down the second set breaker, then broke quickly in the third set to pace the win.

“I had a set point in the first set. I wouldn’t say like I deserved to win the first set. I think we were both neck-and-neck. He was playing great tennis for pretty much two sets,” Kokkinakis said.

“I kind of mixed up my return position, went a long way back. I said he’s going to have to beat me with pace. I started thankfully to get a couple second serve looks.

“I trusted my best shot, which is my forehand. I said to myself, if I see one, I’m going to go big, not die wondering. I didn’t want to wait for his errors, I wanted to take it into my own hands, have some courage. I did that. I played a great breaker in the third set. I’m so happy.”

Kokkinakis has long been considered a top prospect, but injuries have hampered the Australian’s progress.

“I think my body’s adapted. I think I’ve become a bit smarter in myself, things that I started to do. Me and my team, I found a trainer that I really like in Jono, being smart about what I do, how often I do things,” he added.

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