<p>The Special Ks are back! In a real treat for Aussie tennis fans, Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis are teaming up once again to compete in the Doubles at the 2025 Australian Open.</p> <p>This will mark the first time the two have joined forces at the AO since their famous 2022 win in this event.</p> <p>They became the first ever wildcard duo in the Open Era to lift the Australian Open Doubles title and thus the legend of the Special Ks was born.</p> <p>Now they’re getting the band back together, injuries permitting, to further their legend and hopefully go on another memorable run at Melbourne Park.</p> <p>To add to the excitement, their first-round foray will be an all-Aussie affair, as they are set to take on local legends James Duckworth and Aleks Vukic.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Special Ks Australian Open Doubles Preview</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Both Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis may have already bowed out of the Aus Open Singles draw, but they will no doubt want to bring some good times to Melbourne Park in the Doubles.</p> <p>That’s if they’re fit to play, with both Aussie entertainers under separate injury clouds heading into this one.</p> <p>Kokkinakis struggled with a shoulder injury during his second round defeat to Jack Draper, while Kyrgios was dealing with a wrist injury before his first round exit.</p> <p>On the other side of the net, young Aleksandar Vukic may want to reconsider his involvement after reaching the third round of the singles draw for the first time in his career.</p> <p>Despite all these lingering questions around the players' participation, the match is still scheduled to go ahead tonight at John Cain Arena.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>Nick Kyrgios / Thanasi Kokkinakis vs Aleks Vukic / James Duckworth Prediction</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p>Kyrgios and Kokkinakis' first-round men's doubles match against Aleksandar Vukic and James Duckworth is set to be the second match of the night session at John Cain Arena this evening.</p> <p>Looking at the H2H odds, you’ll find that the Special Ks are the slight favourites, which is unsurprising given their track record last time they entered this event.</p> <p>Back in 2022, the dynamic duo of Kyrgios and Kokkinakis turned heads when they defeated No.1 seeds Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic early on in their title charge.</p> <p>They then went on to scalp multiple other top seeded pairs before eventually overcoming fellow Aussie pair Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell 7-5 6-4 in the championship decider.</p> <p>Their on-court synergy seemingly accentuated by their close-friendship off it, can they run it back in 2025? We think so.&nbsp;&nbsp;</p> <p>While their first round opponents are no slouches when it comes to team play, and there are injury concerns for both Kyrgios and Kokkinakis, there are a few things working in their favour.</p> <p>In addition to their championship winning experience in this event, individually, they are clearly superior players, Kyrgios has made the Wimbledon Final after all.</p> <p>Also, with Vukic’s mind elsewhere, (his inaugural third round AO singles match) and Duckworth’s best days behind him, we simply have to side with the Special Ks here.</p> <p><strong>Prediction:</strong> Nick Kyrgios / Thanasi Kokkinakis.</p> <p><strong>Betting tip:</strong> Total match games – over (22.5)</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <h2>When are Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis Playing Doubles at the Australian Open?</h2> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><strong>Date: </strong>Thursday, January 16, 2025.</p> <p><strong>Time:</strong> 6:40pm AEDT*</p> <p><strong>Location: </strong>John Cain Arena*</p> <p><strong>Where to watch: </strong>Channel 9, 9Now, 9Gem, Stan Sport.</p> <p>&nbsp;</p> <p><em>*Both time and location can change due to scheduling.</em></p>