‘The rowdier, the better’: Special Ks give tennis a glimpse of an alternative future

Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis have lit up this year’s Australian Open on their run to the men’s doubles final at Melbourne Park. Photograph: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

Is this the future of tennis? “It has to be,” said Nick Kyrgios. When Kyrgios says something there is usually no turning back. Actually, sometimes there is, because we know he is prone to the odd backflip, or flip-out, or flippancy in general.

But Kyrgios really did not even need to say this to make it true; he and Thanasi Kokkinakis had already ensured the sport has changed irrevocably. Without warning. Without even a pleasant, tennis-like announcement.