In the end, it was a one-night only affair. The return of the Special Ks – Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis – to the Australian Open saw the former champions go down 6-4, 4-6, 7-6 (4) to fellow Australians Jason Kubler and Marc Polmans. Bruised and wounded from injuries, the pair looked set for victory when they led by a break in the third but by the end, there was more wincing and more limping on show than winners.
The courtside photographer pit was already full 10 minutes before call time on Thursday night inside Margaret Court Arena. As all cameras pointed directly at the players’ entrance, it was not difficult to understand why they were there.
A day earlier, Osaka had produced one of the enduring images of the 2026 Australian Open, marching on to Rod Laver Arena in an outrageous outfit inspired by a jellyfish. This time, before her gritty, contentious 6-3, 4-6, 6-2 second-round win over Sorana Cirstea, she opted to leave the hat and veil back in her locker room.
