Sleeveless tops led to injury: Kokkinakis

Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis has revealed the true reason that led to his career-threatening shoulder injury - vanity.

Kokkinakis considered retirement following a horror string of injuries over the past two years that included shoulder, groin, pectoral and elbow problems.

The shoulder injury Kokkinakis first suffered at the end of 2015 was the most serious of the lot, and left the 21-year-old contemplating his future in the game.

And the reason that led to the injury is Kokkinakis' biggest regret - wanting bigger "guns".

"I'm an idiot. Looking back, it was probably my biggest regret," Kokkinakis told 20FOUR In My Own Words.

"The back end of 2015 I started lifting weights, (because) I heard Nike were bringing out sleeveless tops.

"So I was like, 'All right, I've got to bulk up a little bit.'

"Terrible idea. Never do bench press. And then yeah, my shoulder's screwed.

"I remember I came back home - I was in a taxi - and I went to hand my taxi driver a credit card and I couldn't lift my arm above here.

"I had a couple of cortisones. I was like, 'No, I'm screwed'.

"So I knew I was going to have to have surgery, which was pretty shattering."

Kokkinakis was told by his surgeon that he would be ready to go in three to four months.

But after completing a 12-week rehabilitation program, it didn't take long before Kokkinakis revealed his shoulder was still no good.

"I picked up a racquet, hit a serve and it felt like my shoulder just dislocated again," Kokkinakis said.

"I was like, 'Oh, I can't handle this'.

"I piffed my racquet over to the other side. I smashed it. I was crying."

Kokkinakis was left devastated at missing the French Open and Wimbledon.

And while preparing for the US Open, he suffered another blow.

"I hit a high forehand and I tear my pec. And I was like, 'Oh man, I'm so over this'."

With his upper body falling to bits, Kokkinakis decided to dedicate himself to running in a bid to get super fit.

He started running around 12km every day but, by the end of the week, he had been struck down by osteitis pubis.

Kokkinakis revealed last week that he has taken up pilates in a bid to strengthen his core and groins.

The South Australian has one major goal for 2018 - stay fit.

Kokkinakis has looked solid at the Hopman Cup and will continue his Australian Open build-up at the World Tennis Challenge in Adelaide next week.