Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis's bid to repeat their Australian Open doubles triumph of 2022 ended in retirement in on Thursday when the latter was unable to continue their first-round tie.

Thanasi Kokkinakis was warned for "bending the rules" as he called the physio during his marathon battle with Jack Draper in Melbourne.

An anguished Thanasi Kokkinakis has cast serious doubt on his playing future as a chronic pectoral injury threatens to sideline him for a significant period.The 28-year-old suffered a heartbreaking 6-7 (3-7),

Australia’s Alex de Minaur has also come out in defence of fellow country Thanasi Kokkinakis, who has received criticism about prioritising exhibition events before preparing for the mega-events.

Kokkinakis was hampered by a long-standing pectoral injury as he went down 7-6 (7-3) 3-6 6-3 5-7 3-6 to Jack Draper in a four-hour-and-35-minute heartbreaker. Speaking after the match, Kokkinakis said he wouldn't even be able to lift his right arm to serve on Thursday night.

Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis has stunned his opponent with an amazing act of sportsmanship at a critical moment of their second-round Australian Open clash. British No.15 seed Jack Draper was serving at two sets to one down, and trailing by a break in the fourth when he was about to be denied a certain point after a long rally.

Jack Draper conjured the spirit of Andy Murray to claw his way back from the brink of defeat against home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis at the Australian Open. Two years ago, Murray famously recovered from two sets and a break down against Kokkinakis to win a second-round match that finished at 4.05am.

Jack Draper said the abuse he received during his thrilling five-set Australian Open comeback over home favourite Thanasi Kokkinakis inspired him to raise his level as the British No 1 reached the third round of the grand slam for the first time.

We went behind the scenes as the team of Todd Woodbridge, Lleyton Hewitt and John McEnroe called the Kokkinakis-Draper match.

The British No 1 has stood up to questions over his physicality and endurance by winning three five-set matches in a row

Bumper crowds are expected to flock to Melbourne Park this weekend as ideal weather conditions greet some marquee matches.