Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis’ summer of tennis has come to an end after going down to German qualifier Yannick Hanfmann in straight sets, 6-2 6-3 6-2.
Kokkinakis had entered today’s match just days after securing his maiden singles ATP title at the Adelaide International 2.
Having triumphed at this home town tournament, Kokkinakis, whose career has been plagued by a shocking list of injuries, appeared destined to continue his run of form today when he drew a 126-ranked opponent.
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But the Australian looked a shell of himself and appeared to struggle with conditions. He started the match by conceding a break in the first game of the first set.
Towards the end of the third set, former Australian tennis star Sam Groth seemed certain something wasn’t “physically” right with the 25-year-old.
“We can see physically it’s absolutely difficult for him,” Groth said in commentary for Nine.
“This is the last event he’s going to be playing in Australia… you don’t want to leave Australia, what’s been a memorable summer, on these terms.”
Last year Kokkinakis made it to the second round of the Australian Open before going down in a five-set epic to Greek superstar Stefanos Tsitsipas.
He has never finished better than a second-round loss at his home Grand Slam.
Hanfmann will now take on Rafael Nadal in the second round.
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