Thanasi Kokkinakis ready for more upsets at Laver Cup
Australia’s Thanasi Kokkinakis may only be ranked No.78 in the world, but this week he will be playing alongside some of tennis’ elite at the Laver Cup in Berlin.
The 28-year-old believes that he has a very specific role to play at the team event, which pits players from Europe and the rest of the world against each other across three days in singles and doubles.
“I love having fun and hopefully just trying to make everyone feel good,” Kokkinakis declared ahead of day one of the event.
“I’m pretty open to talk.
“I like having a bit more fun with my mates on the sideline.
“Hopefully we can get rowdy.”
The Aussie views himself as a “glue player”, whose primary role is to keep morale high and pass on information between the team.
However, Kokkinakis is also more than capable of contributing with the racquet, if need be.
Despite his low ranking, Kokkinakis has accrued a string of upset victories this season.
Just last week, he punched above his weight to defeat Jakub Mensik and Arthur Fils in Davis Cup action.
At the most recent Grand Slam in New York, he sent world No.12 Stefanos Tsitsipas home in the first round.
Earlier in the year, he beat Gael Monfils, Felix Auger-Aliassime and Alexei Popyrin as well.
“I’ve got to do my job on the court,” he shared.
“That’s everything, the format lends itself to the last day being the most important with the most points at stake.
“Every point is important.
“It’s a sick event.”
This is not the first time Kokkinakis has been involved with the Laver Cup. In the tournament’s very first edition in 2017, Kokkinakis was on the sidelines as an alternate.
“Who knew six years later that I’d have the opportunity to play,” he reflected.
“To get a call up … I couldn’t be happier.
“I got the offer, and I was like, ‘I’m not turning this down’.
“I think the atmosphere will be pretty special… All-black court, new vibe, new atmosphere.”
Kokkinakis will be playing for Team World alongside a trio of Americans in Taylor Fritz, Frances Tiafoe and Ben Shelton, as well as Chile’s Alejandro Tabilo and Argentine Francisco Cerundolo.
On the other side of the net, Team Europe boasts a stacked line up with five top 10 players.
Alexander Zverev, Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev, Casper Ruud, Grigor Dimitrov and Stefanos Tsitsipas will be the European representatives, with tennis betting sites installing them as a heavy favourite to win thanks to their strong squad.