ADELAIDE — Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis has revealed he underwent a groundbreaking and "very risky" shoulder surgery in late 2023, a procedure he claims no other professional tennis player has ever attempted before. The revelation comes as the 27-year-old joined the Australian Davis Cup team over the weekend in Malaga, Spain, not as a player, but in a supporting role as a hitting partner.
Kokkinakis, whose career has been persistently derailed by a litany of injuries, decided to go under the knife for a revolutionary procedure to finally address a chronic shoulder issue that has plagued him for years. The surgery, known as a "Latarjet procedure with remplissage," is an aggressive intervention typically reserved for severe, recurrent shoulder dislocations.
A Career Defined by Setbacks
The South Australian's talent has never been in question, famously defeating Roger Federer in 2018 and winning his home ATP title in Adelaide in 2022. However, his potential has been consistently curtailed by physical ailments. From abdominal tears and groin issues to stress fractures and a debilitating shoulder, Kokkinakis has spent more time in rehabilitation than on the court. "It's been a brutal ride, honestly," Kokkinakis admitted in a recent interview.
The shoulder problem became particularly acute in 2023, causing him significant pain and severely limiting his service motion—a critical weapon in his game. After exhausting all conservative treatment options like cortisone injections and extensive physiotherapy, Kokkinakis and his team were faced with a difficult decision: continue to manage the pain or seek a permanent, albeit risky, surgical solution.
The "Very Risky" Surgical Gamble
The chosen procedure, the Latarjet with remplissage, is a complex combination of two techniques. The Latarjet part involves detaching a small piece of bone with an attached tendon from the coracoid process (a part of the shoulder blade) and screwing it onto the front of the glenoid socket to create a larger, more stable bony block. The remplissage (French for "filling") technique involves stitching the infraspinatus tendon into the head of the humerus to fill a defect.
Kokkinakis confirmed the unprecedented nature of this surgery for a tennis professional. "It was very risky. No tennis player has had it before that plays singles, from what I've heard," he told reporters. "The recovery is a lot longer and there's a lot more that can go wrong." The primary risk, beyond the standard dangers of any major surgery, is a significant and permanent loss of external rotation in the shoulder—a movement essential for a powerful and fluid serving motion.
The decision was not taken lightly. Kokkinakis consulted with numerous specialists worldwide, all of whom acknowledged the gamble. "The doctors were pretty blunt," he said. "They said, 'Look, it could fix it and you could have no problems, or your shoulder could never be the same again. You might lose a bit of rotation and you'll have to adapt your serve.' It was a tough call to make."
The Long Road to Recovery
The rehabilitation protocol is arduous and measured not in weeks, but in many months. The initial phase involved being in a sling for six weeks to allow the bone graft to heal solidly. This was followed by a painstakingly gradual reintroduction of movement and strength exercises. The timeline for a return to hitting groundstrokes is approximately four to five months, with a return to serving at full intensity taking even longer.
Key milestones in his recovery have included:
- Weeks 1-6: Strict immobilization in a sling, focusing on very minor passive range-of-motion exercises performed by a physiotherapist.
- Months 2-4: Active-assisted and active range-of-motion exercises, beginning very light rotator cuff and scapular strengthening.
- Months 4-6+: Gradual introduction of resistance training, starting to hit light groundstrokes, and eventually progressing to serving.
Kokkinakis has been documenting parts of his journey on social media, showing videos of himself in the gym performing specific rehab exercises. His positive attitude, despite the setback, has been a hallmark of his updates. "Just grinding through it day by day," he captioned one recent post. "The shoulder is feeling better each week."
Supporting Role with Davis Cup Team
While he is not yet ready to compete at the highest level, Kokkinakis's inclusion as a hitting partner for the Australian Davis Cup team during their finals week in Malaga is a significant and positive step. It allows him to reintegrate into the team environment, practice with world-class players like Alex de Minaur and Matthew Ebden, and test his shoulder in a high-intensity setting without the pressure of competition.
Australian captain Lleyton Hewitt values Kokkinakis's presence immensely. "Having Thanasi around is fantastic," Hewitt stated. "He brings great energy, he's an incredible talent, and he pushes all the guys in practice. It's also really important for his own comeback to be around the boys and feel that competitive atmosphere again."
For Kokkinakis, the trip is about more than just practice. "It's awesome to be back with the team," he said. "It's frustrating not to be playing, obviously, but to still be involved and help the team prepare in any way I can is a privilege. It beats doing another solo session in the gym back home."
Looking Ahead to the 2024 Season
The big question on every Australian tennis fan's mind is when they will see Kokkinakis back on the ATP tour. While he remains cautious, the early signs are promising. The bone graft has healed well, and he is progressively regaining strength and mobility. His current goal is to make a return in time for the Australian summer of tennis in January 2024, potentially starting at the United Cup or the Adelaide International.
The success of this pioneering surgery could have implications beyond Kokkinakis's own career. If he returns to his previous level—or even surpasses it—without shoulder pain, it could become a considered option for other athletes battling similar debilitating instability. For now, the tennis world watches and waits, hoping this final, drastic gamble pays off for one of the game's most popular and unlucky figures.
"I'm doing everything right," Kokkinakis affirmed, a note of cautious optimism in his voice. "It's a long process and there are no shortcuts. But I believe I made the right decision. I'm excited to see what my body can do without this constant pain holding me back. I'm not done yet."