Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis's bid to repeat their Australian Open doubles triumph of 2022 ended in retirement in on Thursday when the latter was unable to continue their first-round tie.

Kokkinakis was hampered by a long-standing pectoral injury as he went down 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-3 5-7 3-6 to Jack Draper in a four-hour-and-35-minute heartbreaker. Speaking after the match, Kokkinakis said he wouldn't even be able to lift his right arm to serve on Thursday night.

An anguished Thanasi Kokkinakis has cast serious doubt on his playing future as a chronic pectoral injury threatens to sideline him for a significant period.The 28-year-old suffered a heartbreaking 6-7 (3-7),

Thanasi Kokkinakis was warned for "bending the rules" as he called the physio during his marathon battle with Jack Draper in Melbourne.

Australia’s Alex de Minaur has also come out in defence of fellow country Thanasi Kokkinakis, who has received criticism about prioritising exhibition events before preparing for the mega-events.

Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis has stunned his opponent with an amazing act of sportsmanship at a critical moment of their second-round Australian Open clash. British No.15 seed Jack Draper was serving at two sets to one down, and trailing by a break in the fourth when he was about to be denied a certain point after a long rally.

Jack Draper said the abuse he received during his thrilling five-set Australian Open comeback over home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis inspired him to raise his level as the British No 1 reached the third round of the grand slam for the first time.

Thanasi Kokkinakis says he suffered pectoral muscle injury "torture" in marathon Australian Open second-round defeat to England's Jack Draper.

Britain's Jack Draper has once again defied a parochial home crowd at the Australian Open to send local hope Aleksandar Vukic packing in a five-set, third round epic on Friday night. Draper had already been subjected to a pro-Aussie crowd with his second round victory over Thanasi Kokkinakis and had to overcome some hostile scenes again as he came

Bumper crowds are expected to flock to Melbourne Park this weekend as ideal weather conditions greet some marquee matches.

The British No 1 has stood up to questions over his physicality and endurance by winning three five-set matches in a row