Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis had just conquered the unbelievable and more spectacular theatre was certain to follow.
After the great mates erupted in a wild celebration of a 7-5 6-4 victory in the men’s Australian Open doubles final, the ultimate show rolled on as Kyrgios stepped up to the microphone during the trophy presentation.
“Wow, you’ve matured, it’s good to see,” said the controversial tennis star in response to Kokkinakis’ address.
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The Rod Laver Arena crowd burst into laughter and, as Kyrgios wrapped up his speech almost a minute later, he ripped another zinger.
“I know this big boy’s gonna be out tonight,” Kyrgios said.
“So, ladies, let’s go.”
It was ultimately a break of serve to go 6-5 up in the first set and another break to take a 4-3 lead in the second that put Kyrgios and Kokkinakis on the road to victory.
The championship triumph was eventually sealed on the back of a crunching Kyrgios serve, with Kokkinakis hitting a backhand winner down the ‘T’ after Matt Ebden, partnered by Max Purcell, returned the ball.
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Kyrgios and Kokkinakis had been given little to no chance of winning the title when they began their doubles campaign three days into the Australian Open.
As a pair on the ATP circuit they hadn’t ever advanced beyond the quarter-final stage, and they’d only gained entry into the Australian Open doubles draw as wildcards.
But on their way to glory they knocked out the teams seeded first, 15th, sixth and third, claiming huge scalps as they reinvigorated doubles tennis with their colourful antics.
“What a performance from Kokkinakis and Kyrgios – and look what it means to them,” Sam Groth said on Nine’s Wide World of Sports.
“(These) two best mates have just come through and won the Australian Open doubles.
“They have absolutely lit Melbourne Park up for two weeks.”
When Todd Woodbridge asked the duo how it felt to be doubles grand slam champions, Kokkinakis said it was “crazy”.
“This is surreal,” Kokkinakis said.
“The crowd have been unbelievable all week, I love playing with the big fella … It’s not something we expected, but we’re super happy … The support’s been incredible and I don’t think it’s sunk in yet.”
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