Kyrgios and Kokkinakis secure doubles title to cap remarkable Australian Open campaign

Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis claimed their first major title on another raucous night at Melbourne Park with victory over their compatriots, Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell, in the men’s doubles final.

The pair’s remarkable journey from wildcard entries to grand slam champions was completed after just over an hour and a half of yet more gripping entertainment on Rod Laver Arena as the childhood friends sealed a 7-5, 6-4 victory.

The match featured a slightly toned-downed version of the showboating that has come to define the game Kyrgios and Kokkinakis brought to the year’s first grand slam, but there was still a dose of crowd controversy with Kyrgios asking for a fan to be ejected as Ebden and Purcell were serving to stay in the match.

“Nick I love you brother,” Kokkinakis said on-court after the match. “Man, I can honestly say we did not expect to even come close to this but with the help of you guys all week it has been unbelievable. The coverage it got and the support it got, the coverage, we couldn’t ask for anything more.”

Australia were guaranteed a double dose of glory on Saturday night after Ash Barty had earlier ended a 44-year wait for a home player to win a singles title in the same arena.

Kyrgios said winning his first grand slam title was “a dream come true”.

“I wouldn’t want to do it with anyone else,” he said. “Max has been to a finals twice and Matty has had a hell of a career. I’m just super happy. I don’t even know how we are doing this or what is going on right now to be brutally honest.”

Emma Kemp’s full report from Melbourne Park to follow.