Thanasi Kokkinakis’ tennis career may be a crossroads, but he is still turning heads in Melbourne – with his glamourous model partner.
The Australian star will take another ‘serious’ break from tennis after his troublesome shoulder flared up in a potentially career-ending setback during his brief Australian Open appearance.
Kokkinakis, 29, has been dating model Paige Henry for about a year following the end of his previous relationship.
And following his opening round doubles loss as part of the Special K’s with Nick Kyrgios the battered Aussie took to the streets of Melbourne with his new flame.
The loved up couple were spotted taking a stroll through South Yarra, enjoying a Boost Juice and deeply involved in conversation.
She was also spotted wrapping her arm around his shoulders, perhaps to console him after injury again wrecked his Australian Open campaign.
Thanasi Kokkinakis spends time with girlfriend and model Paige Henry after crashing out of the Australian Open
The couple enjoyed some Boost Juice and wandered around South Yarra in Melbourne
Kokkinakis has reportedly been dating the model since February last year after his high-profile split from Melbourne influencer Hannah Dal Sasso
A shoulder injury forced Kokkinakis to withdraw from lead-in tournament the Adelaide Open, along with the singles draw of the Australian Open.
He battled gamely in the doubles with Kyrgios, but their combined injuries ultimately stopped them from getting over the line in the opening round.
The Aussie tennis star split from Melbourne influencer Hannah Dal Sasso in September 2024 after 18 months together.
Henry works as a model, represented by Chadwick Models in Australia and Elite Model Management internationally.
She reportedly divides her time between London, Australia and New Zealand and has previously described herself as a frequent traveller.
Kokkinakis fuelled speculation last February after reposting an intimate street photo of the pair to his Instagram story.
The Aussie star admitted he and Nick Kyrgios played like ‘shadows of our former selves’ after the banged-up buddies were dumped from the Australian Open men’s doubles in the first round.
After both opting out of playing singles amid ongoing fitness concerns, the ‘Special Ks’ rekindled the partnership that famously delivered a doubles title at Melbourne Park in 2022.
A shoulder injury wrecked the Aussie’s summer of tennis, forced to withdraw from the Adelaide Open and the singles at the Australian Open
Kokkinakis and Kyrgios have won the doubles tournament at the Australian Open before as the Special K’s, but injuries hampered them this time around
But the fan-favourites weren’t up to the task on Thursday night, with countrymen Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans celebrating their new pairing with a 6-4 4-6 7-6 (10-4) win in front of a boisterous crowd at Kia Arena.
Kokkinakis believes his latest setback is related to the injury that forced his withdrawal from the Adelaide International earlier this month and the agonising decision not to compete in the Open singles tournament.
The 29-year-old South Australian, who spent nearly 12 months on the sidelines following pectoral surgery last February, now faces another extended stint on the sidelines as he ponders his future in tennis.
‘I think I’m going to be on ice for a while,’ Kokkinakis said.
‘I don’t want to play another match feeling like that ever again, so I will take a serious break.
‘I’m in no way, shape or form ready to compete at this level. So, yeah, I’ve got to do some things.
‘I had some injections booked for after the tournament anyway.
‘I thought I’d be able to get through a doubles. It’s pretty disappointing.’
Kokkinakis called a medical timeout when the Special Ks led 4-1 in the final set and underwent treatment, after which Kubler and Polmans fought back to force a tiebreaker and ultimately win the match.
‘Unfortunately, they saw probably a couple of shadows of our former selves,’ Kokkinakis said of the fans who got behind them.
‘That’s what’s tough – when you’re not quite there.
‘The crowd’s incredible. That’s why we play here. They’re phenomenal.
‘They were getting up and about, but we couldn’t get over the line.
‘We were trying to do as much as we could. I gave it whatever I could and I know Nick did as well.
‘It’s annoying because they come out and support … but unfortunately we were just hobbled, so it kinda sucks.’
