‘Always a chance’: Thanasi Kokkinakis throws support behind Alex de Minaur despite ‘tricky’ first-up task
As the 2025 French Open unfolds at Roland Garros, Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis is rallying behind compatriot Alex de Minaur, despite the world No. 8 facing a formidable first-round challenge against American teenager Alex Michelsen. Kokkinakis, a vocal supporter of de Minaur, acknowledges the “tricky” matchup but remains confident in his fellow Aussie’s ability to shine on the Parisian clay, where de Minaur has shown growing prowess.
In a recent interview, Kokkinakis praised de Minaur’s tenacity, stating, “Alex is a hell of a player, and there’s always a chance with him. Michelsen’s young and hungry, but Alex’s speed, fight, and experience give him the edge.” The two players have history, with de Minaur dominating Michelsen 6-1, 6-0, 6-2 in the first round of the 2024 French Open. However, Michelsen, now ranked No. 49 and fresh off a strong 2024 season, including an upset over Taylor Fritz in Geneva, poses a renewed threat. Kokkinakis’ confidence in de Minaur stems from the latter’s breakout 2024 clay campaign, which included a quarterfinal run at Roland Garros—his best result there—alongside a win over Rafael Nadal in Barcelona and a last-16 finish in Rome.
De Minaur, seeded No. 8, is a cornerstone of Australia’s tennis hopes, and Kokkinakis’ support echoes his previous praise during the 2024 French Open, where he called de Minaur the “ultimate teammate” for his leadership and work ethic. Their camaraderie was evident in 2024, when both players reached the third round at Roland Garros, marking the first time Australian men achieved that feat since 2015. Kokkinakis, ranked No. 71, faces his own tough opener against No. 12 seed Taylor Fritz, a player he’s split two career meetings with (1-1). Reflecting on his own prospects, Kokkinakis said, “When my body’s right, I can take on anyone. I’m ready to grind.”
Kokkinakis’ optimism is tempered by his injury history, including a shoulder issue that limited him at the 2025 Australian Open. Yet, his 2024 French Open performance, where he battled through two five-set matches to reach the third round, fuels his belief in causing upsets. For de Minaur, the Michelsen match on Court Simonne-Mathieu is a chance to build on his clay-court momentum, while Kokkinakis’ clash with Fritz on Court 14 tests his resilience early.
With Kokkinakis’ vocal backing, de Minaur carries Australia’s hopes for a deep run at the 2025 French Open. The “tricky” first-round hurdle against Michelsen won’t be easy, but as Kokkinakis put it, “There’s always a chance with Alex.” Australian fans will be watching closely as both players aim to replicate—or surpass—their 2024 success on the red dirt.
