21-year-old Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis has claimed that he and the Swiss great Roger Federer get along well, and he would like to spend more time with the 19-time Grand Slam champion.
Kokkinakis is also looking forward to the Hopman Cup, starting in Perth from December 31.
Recalling his 2013 debut at the tournament, the youngster from South Australia, said: “Being reserve, I didn’t really think I’d play, but I ended up playing three matches.”
“One singles against (Fernando) Verdasco, which I thought I did pretty well in, and then I played a mixed doubles with Venus (Williams) and then mixed doubles against (Novak) Djokovic and (Ana) Ivanovic.
“That was one of the most fun matches I’ve had to date. I loved it there. That was kind of the first event that got my name a little bit on the scene for people around Australia.
“Unbelievable memories and I can’t wait to be back and playing in the real thing. For me coming into the Aussie Open there is nothing better than guaranteed matches. It’s perfect for me. I’ve missed two Aussie summers and I wasn’t willing to miss a third.”
“It feels like I’ve been around for a while,” Kokkinakis added. “I’m eager to go, I’m motivated, so hopefully I just get stronger and it’s up from here.”
He is currently training in Melbourne and is confident about putting a good show at the Hopman Cup.
“I’ve got a quiet confidence that if I put it together and I’m feeling good, I can do a bit of damage,” he said.
“It (the body) is the best it’s been for a while. I don’t think my fitness per se is where I need it to be, I don’t think it’s going to be until mid-year. But I’m getting stronger and my team is doing a good job of building me up slowly and not getting too excited.”
But he’s also eager to have a couple of practice sessions with his idol Roger Federer, who has invited him to train at his base in Dubai in the past.
“He’s invited me over to Dubai a couple of times and I’ve done that,” Kokkinakis said. “It’s cool having him there. I’ll train with him a few times. We get along really well.”
