‘Chubby Kid From Canberra’: Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios Engage in Hilarious Banter at Australian Open 2022

The Show Court Arena at Melbourne Park was ecstatic today. The Aussie pairing of Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis faced Gonzalo Escobar and Ariel Behar in their third doubles round of the Australian Open 2022.

Obviously, the Australian crowd cheered for every single point that their home team made. Furthermore, to add to the excitement was none other than showman Nick Kyrgios himself. Ever the electric performer, he was his usual self on the court. He got the crowd on its feet, egging them on to cheer for each point and game.

As a result, the crowd played their part in helping the Aussie pair to the quarter-finals as well.

Nick Kyrgios served to win the match

The home team of Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios emerged victorious on the Kia Arena in a match that proved to be an absolute cracker of a watch.

At the post-match interview, the pair were asked how they felt since it couldn’t have been easy to knock out seasoned doubles teams. “Ah man, it’s been pretty easy!” Nick Kyrgios responded immediately, chuckling and then admitting he was kidding. Now, the two Aussie stars will face the sixth-seeded pair of Michael Venus and Tim Puetz in the quarter-finals.

Moreover, Kyrgios was all praises for his teammate and friend. “The energy with Thanasi, it’s just always a pleasure to play with you brother,” Kyrgios smiled and said. Then, they talked about how long they’d been friends. Thanasi said he’s known Kyrgios since “he was a chubby kid from Canberra,” as Kyrgios responded by lightly smacking him on the back.

Furthermore, they expressed their appreciation to the crowd. Particularly, Nick Kyrgios praised how the crowd came out in droves to support them. “The atmosphere is unbelievable,” Kokkinakis expressed. Kyrgios, too, stated how a packed arena for a third-round doubles match was “insane.” “You don’t get it anywhere else in the world,” Kyrgios said, praising the crowd atmosphere.

Moreover, even Thanasi Kokkinakis had jokes, who shared that as long as tournament director Craig Tiley kept scheduling them at the Show Court, they’d keep showing up to win. “We’re winning it,” Kyrgios said, talking about their next match with Tim Puetz and Michael Venus, as Thanasi chuckled.

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Racket throwing is synonymous with a Kyrgios match

Despite taking the first set, Kyrgios and Thanasi looked visibly under pressure towards the end of the second set. As they faced the serve from across the net, Nick Kyrgios handled the baseline while Kokkinakis stayed close to the net.

Dropping the ninth game of the set and going down 4-5 was not the most ideal for their team. Consequently, Kyrgios vented his frustration on his racket as he threw it strongly into the ground in frustration.

Naturally, the crowd, as involved as they were, immediately engaged in cheering up the pair. Kyrgios has had a history of racket-abuse fines. However, the umpire chose not to write up the Aussie, as the home team then served to hold the set.

Sadly, the pair that previously knocked out the top-seeds of the tournament in the last round, dropped the second set. Nevertheless, the five-thousand fans at the Kia Arena never let their energy down, as the ‘Aussie-Aussie-Aussie’ chants filled the air.

Thanasi Kokkinakis, who just won his first ATP title this month at the Adelaide International, was just as energetic as the two constantly discussed their strategy after each point.

WATCH THIS STORY: From Drinking Fan’s Beer to His Iconic Tweener: Nick Kyrgios Puts Up a Crazy Show at Australian Open 2022