The Spaniard won a record 14 French Open titles, a remarkable achievement that many believe will never be topped.

When Nadal retired from tennis in 2024 he did so as one of the greatest players to have ever competed on the ATP Tour.

Praise or recognition from someone of Nadal’s caliber was valuable, as fans and players tended to listen when the Spaniard spoke.

One young star received such praise in 2014 as Nadal secured his spot in the third round of the Australian Open.

Thanasi Kokkinakis: The player Rafael Nadal tipped for greatness in 2014

Number one seed Nadal took on Australian 17-year-old Thanasi Kokkinakis in the second round of the 2014 Australian Open.

The Aussie Wild Card had beaten Igor Sijsling in the previous round, securing his first win at a Major tournament.

Battling it out against the best player in the world, Kokkinakis fell to defeat in straight sets against Nadal, 2-6, 4-6, 2-6.

After the match, Nadal was full of praise for his younger opponent as he predicted big things for Kokkinakis.

“There is now a new generation that should come,” he said.

“[Thanasi] Kokkinakis is one of these ones that can be there in the next couple of years.

“It’s normal that new players are coming, new generations are arriving, that’s happened in all the parts of the history of our sport.

“Strange for the last few years didn’t happen, so that’s something really normal that should happen and probably will happen and that’s good for the game.

“He played juniors, two finals on Grand Slams last year, so he has a great future.

“He has the right level to try to be on the tour very soon, so just keep working and that will happen.”

Nadal then gave Kokkinakis advice on how to improve over the coming years.

“If you are able to keep improving in all aspects, then you will have the chance to be in the top position of the ranking and compete for the best tournaments,” he said.

“If you are not able to keep improving, your chances will be less, because if you are not improving new things, the things that you have are going worst.

“The main goal is keep improving in all aspects, no? But is true he has a great serve to be 17, so keep doing that.

“The normal thing is if he is able to improve with being humble, being with the right people around that don’t make you feel you are a star before the right time.

“So he will have the chance to be a great player, that’s my feeling, he has everything to do it.”

What happened to Thanasi Kokkinakis after he played Rafael Nadal at the 2014 Australian Open?

Kokkinakis never quite reached the heights many predicted for him, peaking as world number 65 in 2023.

The Aussie star is yet to reach the fourth round of a Major tournament, in a career blighted by several injuries.

Perhaps his greatest moment in singles competition came during the 2018 Miami Open, as Kokkinakis took on world number one Roger Federer in the second round.

Having dropped the first set, Kokkinakis fought back to win in three, 3-6, 6-3, 7-6, to secure his first win over a world number one.

Kokkinakis won his first ATP title four years later, as he battled through in four deciding sets to lift the trophy in Adelaide.

Kokkinakis enjoyed more success later that same month, as he partnered with Nick Kyrgios for the Australian Open doubles tournament.

Entering as Wild Cards for the event, the pair, branded as ‘the Special K’s’ knocked out some of the world’s greatest doubles pairs on their way to the final.

• SF – Beat [2] Marcel Granollers and Horacio Zeballos, 7-6, 6-4
• QF – Beat [6] Tim Putz and Michael Venus, 7-5, 3-6, 6-3
• 3R – Beat [15] Ariel Behar and Gonzalo Escobar, 6-4, 4-6, 6-4
• 2R – Beat [1] Nikola Mektic and Mate Pavic, 7-6, 6-3
• 1R – Beat [WC] Alex Bolt and James McCabe

Facing off against their fellow Aussies, Matthew Ebden and Max Purcell in the final, Kyrgios and Kokkinakis won in straight sets, 7-5, 6-4, to win the Australian Open title.

A career-best year in 2023 followed for the Grand Slam champion before falling back in 2024, ending the year ranked 77th in the world.

Currently injured, Kokkinakis will no doubt be eager to get back onto the court, as he looks to achieve more success, just as Nadal predicted.