EXCLUSIVE: Aussie great says Kyrgios, Kokkinakis could 'play doubles full time' as injuries hijack individual careers

Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis could become one of the best doubles teams in world tennis if they decided to do it full time, according to Aussie great Jelena Dokic.

The close friends will once again take on the Australian Open men's doubles draw and begin their campaign against fellow all-Aussie team Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans on Thursday.

It was four years ago when Kokkinakis and Kyrgios stunned the doubles draw and won their home grand slam, taking down full-time doubles players on their way to a breakthrough title.

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But they have continued to focus on their individual singles careers since, although both have been cruelled by injury.

Kyrgios, 30, went on to have a career season in 2022 and made the singles final at Wimbledon, ultimately losing to Novak Djokovic.

He has since undergone wrist surgery and had various other ailments which have largely kept him off the court.

Kokkinakis won the Adelaide International - his home tournament - just prior to that 2022 doubles victory but has also battled injuries in the years since.

Just last week he was forced to pull out of Adelaide with a shoulder issue, and then withdrew from the Australian Open singles draw.

Kyrgios did the same after struggling through the Brisbane International.

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Both now entering the twilight of their sporting careers, the possibility of either of them becoming a force in singles tennis again are growing slim.

But Dokic says if they chose to focus all their energy on playing the doubles circuit, more titles would await them.

"They've won a grand slam, they won here four years ago. So they showed then the talent they have, how well they can play doubles," Dokic told Wide World of Sports' The Morning Serve.

"I think we would all love to see them play singles, and I think they would too.

"I spoke with Thanasi last year... I love Thanasi, he's great. I know what he's gone through with his injury, how rare that (shoulder) surgery is.

"I hope he's still able to get out there and play some singles.

"But if they don't, I would actually love to see them play doubles full time, at least (play) more tournaments. I think that would be amazing.

"If they play more matches they could be one of the best doubles pairs out there in the world.

"They've shown it. You don't win a grand slam by chance. Maybe play more doubles together, that would be amazing."

While some doubles teams train as a pair all the time and focus solely on winning tournaments together, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis are more like two mates who enjoy having a hit together as a laugh.

Dubbed the Special Ks during that 2022 title run, their larrikin attitude towards the doubles format has rubbed some purists the wrong way.

But Dokic only sees two friends enjoying their tennis careers together, and says it could be a way of reigniting their love for the sport that has provided so many rough moments for them.

"They are great friends, they enjoy it. You can see how much fun they're having," she said.

"It could be a great way to have fun on tour, and play singles and doubles.

"Maybe if they can't play singles... maybe just go out there and play doubles, that would be amazing."