Kokkinakis' French Open prep takes a twist

Thanasi Kokkinakis has suffered another injury, with the 22-year-old Australian injuring his knee in bizarre circumstances at the Monte Carlo Masters.

Thanasi Kokkinakis, of Australia, returns to Fernando Verdasco.

Australian Thanasi Kokkinakis has suffered a knee injury after tripping over an advertising sign. (AAP)

Thanasi Kokkinakis's French Open preparations have taken a hit, with the luckless Australian tennis star needing crutches following his freak fall at the Monte Carlo Masters.

The 22-year-old was also seen at the tournament wearing a leg brace to support his left knee after stumbling over advertising padding during his first-round loss on Monday to Russian world No.38 Karen Khachanov.

After playing on for an entire set, Kokkinakis later took to Twitter to express his frustration with the advertising signs, posting "Gotta move those", but failed to point out he'd been injured.

But it now appears he's in a race against the clock to be fit for the claycourt major beginning in Paris on May 27.

One of only two players this year to have beaten Roger Federer, Kokkinakis has just five weeks to recover for the season's second grand slam event.

Missing another major would be a bitter pill to swallow, with Kokkinakis having played just four slams since 2015 due to a catalogue of wretched injuries.

He was limited to just one match in 2016 after undergoing shoulder surgery on his right serving arm before making a promising comeback at last year's French Open.

He has since risen to 150th in the world having plummeted down to 993 in the rankings during his depressing layoff when he contemplated retirement.

Kokkinakis's victory over Federer came last month in Miami after he charged through qualifying before spectacularly ousting the defending champion and 20-time grand slam winner.


Share

2 min read

Published

Source: AAP



Share this with family and friends


Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from Australia and around the world direct to your inbox.

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

Follow SBS News

Download our apps

Listen to our podcasts

Get the latest with our News podcasts on your favourite podcast apps.

Watch on SBS

SBS World News

Take a global view with Australia's most comprehensive world news service

Watch now

Watch the latest news videos from Australia and across the world