Thanasi Kokkinakis is ruing another brutal grand slam draw after departing Wimbledon feeling an exasperated sense of a deja vu.

Kokkinakis’s 6-3 3-6 7-6 (7-2) 6-4 loss to former US Open champion Juan Martin del Potro was the 21-year-old’s third straight first-round defeat suffered at the hands of an accomplished seed.

“It’s tough. You can only control what you can,” said Australia’s world No.486 after continuing his comeback from 18 months of injury hell with another near miss.

“Again, I don’t think I have played anyone over 30 in the world in my last four slams, outside of 30.

“When your ranking is like 9,000, like it is at the moment, you can’t really argue about it. I have just got to get myself up and get some wins.

“Hopefully I’m seeded, get to that point, firstly breaking 100 again and try to get a seeding so I don’t have to worry about it.”

Chasing his first grand slam victory since beating countryman Bernard Tomic from two sets down at the 2015 French Open, Kokkinakis has now lost consecutive tight battles to Leonardo Mayer, Richard Gasquet, Kei Nishikori and del Potro at the majors.

“Again, had a few looks to win the match. The same thing as last time,” Kokkinakis said.

“Wouldn’t mind playing somebody who is not as good.”

Kokkinakis will continue playing on a protected ranking through the American hardcourt season before he must earn his way into tournaments after the US Open in September.

Success against 2016 Wimbledon runner-up Milos Raonic at the Queen’s Club last month has at least left Kokkinakis confident that he can fight his way back up the rankings.

“It’s close but it’s frustrating. That’s why the win at Queen’s was such a relief. I know I’m capable of it,” he said.

“It’s just putting it together set after set. I was able to do it there. Wasn’t able to do it here or French Open, but I’m getting closer.”