Thanasi Kokkinakis clings to hope of second chance as injuries hit hard

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THANASI Kokkinakis’ Wimbledon dream hangs in the balance as the Aussie clings to hopes of a main draw second chance.

With five lucky losers — including Bernard Tomic — already earning reprieves after defeat in final-round qualifying, Kokkinakis needs three more rivals to withdraw by the end of the first round to get back into the tournament.

Beaten by Alex Bolt in four sets in the last round of the pre-tournament, Kokkinakis sits behind Italy’s Simone Bolelli and Taiwan’s Jason Jung on the alternate’s list.

Kokkinakis will be hoping Wimbledon’s attrition rates matches that of the French Open, where eight players withdrew from the first round because of injury.

The rash of no-shows is attributable to a new rule which allows main draw players to pull out after qualifying starts and still collect half of the $69,000 first-round prizemoney at Wimbledon.

The rule was introduced as incentive to stop competitors cynically taking to the court for opening-round matches and retiring after a few games.

It also provides for heavy penalties for players who are unable to give their best efforts because of injury — and still decide to play.

Tomic won a reprieve after a vapid qualifying loss to Ruben Bemelmans, earning a second chance after plunging to straight-sets defeat in just 80 minutes.

In a further twist, Tomic’s name was the first drawn from the hat and he ultimately drew another lucky loser — world No 119 Hubert Hurkacz, of Poland.

The development means Tomic continues a Wimbledon run stretching back to 2010.

The Queenslander returns to the All England Club for the first time since declaring he was “a little bored” during a limp first-round loss to German Mischa Zverev.

“I don’t know why, but, you know, I felt a little bit bored out there. You know, to be completely honest with you,” Tomic said.

Tomic’s comment, among others, led to a $20,000 fine and prompted racquet manufacturer Head to dump the Gold Coaster as a sponsored athlete.

If the 2011 Wimbledon quarter-finalist regains his best form, it’s possible he could clash with Nick Kyrgios in the third round.

The pair, who have never played each other, was slated to square in the French Open’s first round but Kyrgios withdrew with an elbow injury.

Tomic and Kyrgios lead a pack of 10 Australian men into battle.

Ash Barty, Daria Gavrilova, Sam Stosur and Ajla Tomljanovic carry the nation’s women’s singles hopes.

The Australians:

15-Nick Kyrgios v Denis Istomin (Uzb)

Matt Ebden v 10-David Goffin (Bel)

John Millman v Stefano Travaglia (Ita)

Alex de Minaur v 29-Marco Cecchinato (Ita)

James Duckworth v 4-Alexander Zverev (Ger)

Jordan Thompson v 17-Sam Querrey (US)

John-Patrick Smith v Andreas Seppi (Ita)

Jason Kubler v Guido Pella (Arg)

Alex Bolt v 21-Kyle Edmund (Gbr)

Bernard Tomic v Hubert Hurkacz (Pol.)

17-Ash Barty v Stefanie Voegele (Sui)

26-Daria Gavrilova v Zarina Diyas (Kaz)

Sam Stosur v Peng Shuai (Chi)

Ajla Tomljanovic v 10-Madison Keys (US)