Thanasi Kokkinakis will enter the Australian Open under an injury cloud after the local star confirmed his withdrawal from the Adelaide International.
Kokkinakis was set to chase his second title at his home tournament in Adelaide but was forced to pull out of his quarter-final clash with Sebastian Korda on Thursday.
Organisers announced on social media that his absence was due to a shoulder injury.
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Thanasi Kokkinakis of Australia Getty
The 2022 winner appeared to be struggling with the injury during his previous match against Tomas Martin Etcheverry on Wednesday night.
The three-hour battle was not the best performance the Australian had produced and it was no secret that Kokkinakis may have been dealing with an issue.
“He is not at his best tonight … he seems flat,” John Fitzgerald said on Nine.
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Kokkinakis acknowledged post-match that he would be heading straight for rest and recovery in preparation for the quarter final match.
The injury news comes just weeks after the 28-year-old was forced to withdraw from the Brisbane International with a hip injury.
His withdrawal from the Queensland-based event was speculated to be heavily linked with ensuring his body would be fit for a home grand slam.
Kokkinakis’ withdrawal will see Korda walk into the semi finals uncontested.
