Injured Thanasi Kokkinakis withdraws from Wimbledon, still harbours Olympic aspirations

THANASI Kokkinakis has been forced to withdraw from Wimbledon after failing to overcome shoulder surgery but the talented youngster still harbours Olympic aspirations.

Thanasi Kokkinakis in action for Australia during a Davis Cup tie last year.

THANASI Kokkinakis refuses to surrender his Olympic Games dreams despite withdrawing from Wimbledon — the third major shoulder surgery has cost the South Australian talent.

Kokkinakis, 20, clings to hopes he can return to competition by the end of the month to prove his fitness and rebuild his ranking.

The Adelaide baseliner underwent shoulder surgery in December and has a protected ranking of world No.81.

While the Olympic entry cut-off will be higher than normal because of restrictions on the number of players any one nation can field in singles, Kokkinakis would be on the fringe.

He would need to prove his fitness to Tennis Australia before June 30 — the nomination deadline to the Australian Olympic Committee.

And while the classy right-hander is desperate to join John Millman in Rio, he will not risk long-term health to play.

“It’s pretty frustrating at the moment because I’ve been ready to go for a month,” Kokkinakis said.

“The thing that’s been holding me back is that I can’t yet serve at full pace.

“I can serve at 80 per cent without any problems but when I go full pace, there’s a niggle right before contact and on contact.

“The shoulder is a little bit unstable and I’m trying to take it day by day.

Kokkinakis after shoulder surgery. Picture: Instagram

“By setting (time) targets, I feel like I’m putting pressure on myself and then feel let down when I don’t get back.”

One of the finest rising talents on the international scene, Kokkinakis hasn’t played since Valencia in October.

Having handed back a wildcard into the Aegon Championships at Queen’s Club this week, Kokkinakis is considering returning via second-tier events.

“I might even start with a Futures tournament,” he said.

“Right now, it’s been eight months I’ve gone without a match. It’s now been a long time.

Stay away from the shoulder! Picture: Calum Robertson

“It’s one thing to train and play points — I’ve able to hit grundies for two and a bit months — but it’s completely different under match conditions.

“You’ve got the reactions and all that type of thing.

“I just need matches.”

Kokkinakis will return to Melbourne from Adelaide this week to resume training in the hope he can resume soon.

Australia’s two highest-ranked men — Nick Kyrgios and Bernard Tomic — have ruled themselves out of the August Games.