The future is here: Nick Kyrgios (left) and Thanasi Kokkinakis.

The future is here: Nick Kyrgios (left) and Thanasi Kokkinakis. Photo: Wayne Taylor

Thanasi Kokkinakis, one half of Australia's new teenage tennis sensations, believes he and close friend Nick Kyrgios can become the face of world tennis.

The teenagers have lit up Melbourne Park in the first week of the Australian Open and have tennis fans across the country daring to dream of a new golden era in the sport.

Kyrgios' exuberance captured the hearts of Australians in his gruelling five-set loss to Frenchman Benoit Paire on Thursday night, while the 17-year-old Kokkinakis earned plenty of admirers in his loss to world No.1 Rafael Nadal.

Kokkinakis insists the possibilities are endless and has set out to put Australia back on the tennis map with his 18-year-old compatriot by his side.

''We want to be the face of Australian and hopefully world tennis,'' Kokkinakis told Fairfax Media.

''That's the end goal. I think we've both got the potential to do really well in the sport, as we've shown so far. We just have to keep on progressing and one day be the face of tennis. I've always known that.

''But being a tennis player is more than just being good at tennis. It's doing media and everything that goes with being successful. It's being someone who people respect for what they do off the court.''

Kyrgios, 18, showed off his qualities as an entertainer in the second round, turning Margaret Court Arena into his own private kingdom.

While Kyrgios has always possessed plenty of flair and charisma, Kokkinakis insists it was amplified under the bright lights of a grand slam.

''He is like that, but I think he took it up another level on Thursday night,'' Kokkinakis said. ''He was like that a little bit in the first round, but he was just so eager to get out there. It was funny to watch. He usually just has the slits in his hair but this time he went for the mohawk and the slits so he was feeling pretty confident obviously.''