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Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis in major Miami Open announcement

Thanasi Kokkikaniks (pictured left) and Nick Kyrgios (pictured right) smile after winning the Australian Open doubles title.
Thanasi Kokkikaniks (pictured left) and Nick Kyrgios (pictured right) have been handed a Miami Open doubles wildcard. (Getty Images)

Nick Kyrgios and Thanasi Kokkinakis have been handed a Miami Open wildcard as the race for the doubles ATP year-end No.1 heats up.

Kyrgios and Kokkinakis have helped bring huge crowds to the doubles competitions after winning the Australian Open in dramatic fashion.

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The pair followed up their maiden Australian Open title with a round of 16 defeat to American giants Jack Sock and John Isner at Indian Wells last week.

The match was in front of a packed stadium, which had tennis fans once again praising the impact the two Aussies are having on the competition.

And the fresh duo have now been awarded a wild card to the Miami Open.

While it was known Kyrgios had been granted a wild card in singles, the doubles pairing have been included.

This is a boost to the pair's doubles ranking with the Aussies sitting a top of the year-end race with 2,090 points after only two tournaments.

Indian Wells conquerers, Sock and Isner, are in fourth.

However, Sock will not be playing doubles at Miami with Isner partnering Hubert Hurkacz.

Nick Kyrgios handed Halle wildcard

Kyrgios was also handed a Halle grass court entry after his Indian Wells run.

Coming into the event in the California desert, Kyrgios was sitting at World No.132 after two years disrupted by injuries and the Covid pandemic.

But his remarkable run to the final eight at Indian Wells has seen him rise to No.102 heading into the Miami Open this week.

If the 26-year-old can continue his brilliant form in Miami he will likely re-enter the world's top 100 - an important step on his road back to relevance.

And Halle has handed the enigmatic Aussie a wild card ahead of a potential Wimbledon charge.

Nick Kyrgios (pictured right) during his match with Rafa Nadal  (pictured left) in their quarterfinal match at Indian Wells.
Nick Kyrgios (pictured right) during his match with Rafa Nadal (pictured left) in their quarterfinal match at Indian Wells. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images)

But, Kyrgios' Indian Wells wasn't without controversy.

Kyrgios issued an apology after a racquet he smashed into the ground bounced and nearly hit a ball kid following his close fought loss to Rafa Nadal.

But, Kyrgios tracked down the ball kid and offered him a racquet and an apology following the severe backlash received over the incident.

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