‘Late bloomer’ – Kokkinakis gets his first girlfriend, and a win at the French Open

The city of light and love may just be the vibe that Thanasi Kokkinakis needs to make it to the second week of a grand slam.

Thanasi Kokkinakis and Nick Kyrgios are in a private suite at Melbourne Park. Waiting to do a TV interview. A cameraman is stuffing around with his battery and whatnot. Profusely apologising. Kokkinakis says it’s all OK but an impatient Kyrgios is peering out a window. He sees folks guzzling beer, sipping wine and downing shots in the outdoor section of the bar downstairs. The joint’s going off.

Kyrgios‘ eyes light up. He tells Kokkinakis they should get down there and get among the revelry straight after the interview. He’s a hundred per cent serious. Life’s short. We’ll win anyway. Kokkinakis laughs and says this probably isn’t the night to imbibe. They have an Australian Open doubles final the following day. They tuck themselves in nice and early, play the lights out on Rod Laver Arena and lift their first major trophy.

Kokkinakis has always been the more diligent of the Special Ks and yet he’s enjoyed only half the success. The running gag around Kokkinakis has been to ask whether he’ll get a girlfriend or reach the second week of a major first. Both breakthroughs may be happening simultaneously in Paris, the city of lights and love, where he’s shacked up with his first serious squeeze and just played one of the more consummate matches of his life to blow England’s 20th-seeded Dan Evans off the court at the French Open.

Kokkinakis’ flame is Hannah Dal Sasso. She’s described as a social influencer. Now, who are these people, mingling among us in society, wielding such influence? I checked out the Instagram account of the lady in question, open to the idea of being influenced, welcoming any opportunity to become a more valuable citizen of the world, grateful for the inspiration. After a contemplative perusal of her posts, I’m motivated like never before to spruce up my wardrobe and buy a puppy.

Kokkinakis is as likeable as it gets. Self-deprecating. Perhaps too aware of his supposed faults to have the arrogance that doesn’t go astray on tour. He hits any given ball as well as anyone in the world but he’s never caught fire at a major. He hasn’t reached the third round of a slam since Roland-Garros in 2015, an appalling record for a player of his ability. He’s ranked No. 81 when he could be single figures. Perhaps Cupid’s Arrow is the shot in the arm he needs.

“First girlfriend, probably ever, so that’s an adjustment,” he said.

Hannah Dal Sasso and Thanasi Kokkinakis. Pic: Adam Haddrick

Dal Sasso at Bondi Sands event at Lume in Melbourne

“Late bloomer, I guess you could say. I’m trying that, but that brings its challenges as well. She’s been great. I probably travel with a big team to every tournament I play and maybe spend, or maybe invest, a little bit more in than sort of thing compared to other guys from Europe. I feel like for me to give myself the best chance on court, to keep me somewhat mentally stable, I need to do that. I’m just trying to get people that I’m comfortable around with me.”

Kokkinakis needs some influencing when it comes to his laundry. He sent all his tennis shirts to be washed. When their return was delayed, he had to either dig out an old one or ask officialdom if he could go bare-chested. “I couldn’t wear what I needed to wear. It was tough. They’ve been looking for them since this morning,” Kokkinakis said after his 6-4 6-4 6-4 triumph. “I’m an idiot. I put all of my shirts in because usually they shrink a bit after washing and I prefer them that way. Dumb idea.”

Kokkinakis, 27, played smart against an opponent who’s never easily beaten. He did to Evans what Evans usually does to Kyrgios. Wait for him to blow up. Evans took one of those dubious medical time-outs, smashed a water bottle, bickered with Kokkinakis’ supporters and annihilated a racquet. Kokkinakis stayed cool and composed. If the social influencer is having this sort of influence on him, more power to her arm.

“It was always going to be scrappy.” Kokkinakis said before heading back to his love shack and preparing for Wednesday’s second-round clash with Swiss veteran Stan Wawrinka or Spain’s Albert Ramos-Vinolas. “To get it done in straight sets is massive. I’m just very happy with that win.”