Thanasis Kokkinakis has cancelled all tournaments for the Australian summer of tennis after suffering a shoulder injury.
Kokkinakis, one of only three teenagers ranked in the world’s top 100 men, on Thursday withdrew from the Brisbane International, which starts on Sunday week.
The 19-year-old Australian Davis Cup player had bigger fish to fry at the Australian Open, which starts on January 18, and in March’s tie against the United States at Kooyong in Melbourne.
But he said on Thursday that he expected to be out of action for at least two months.
“It turns out I will need to have some minor surgery and be out for the next few months,’’ Kokkinakis said.
“I’m confident it’s a small setback.and having it done now is the best option for the long term. I believe I can come back better and stronger.’’
Kokkinakis, praised this year by Andy Murray and John McEnroe as a future top-five player, had been eyeing the Australian circuit as a chance to prove he is a member of the sport’s Generation Now rather than its Generation Next.
Kokkinakis’s off-season training had started with great enthusiasm for the future.
He changed coaches from his long-time Adelaide coach Todd Langman to Queenslander Ben Mathias, who has guided Davis Cup teammate Sam Groth and will tour with both Groth and Kokkinakis in 2016.
Kokkinakis, ranked No.78, had needed a wildcard entry to the Brisbane International main draw and this will now go to a lower-ranked Australian man.
“I’m really disappointed for Thanasi as I know how much he enjoys playing in Brisbane because of the support he gets from our fans,’’ Brisbane tournament director Cameron Pearson said.
“We wish him a speedy recovery and look forward to seeing him back on the court very soon.’’
Of Australia’s top two men, Bernard Tomic is seventh seed in Brisbane and Nick Kyrgios starts his year at Perth’s Hopman Cup, also from Sunday week.
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