A legal stoush over the rights of Australian tennis star Thanasi Kokkinakis to use his ‘Special K’ nickname commercially is heading for mediation.

Breakfast cereal giant Kellogg’s, which owns the right to the Special K trademark in Australia, has launched Federal Court action to prevent the 21-year-old using Special K as part of any branding campaign.

The parties came before the court in Adelaide on Thursday, with Justice Brigitte Markovic sending the case to a mediation conference in August.

She also allowed Kellogg’s extra time to amend its statement of claim and for Kokkinakis to file a defence.

If the matter goes to trial, it remains to be determined where it will be heard, with Kellogg’s asking for it to be listed in Sydney and counsel for Kokkinakis preferring Adelaide.

The case will return to the Federal Court in Adelaide on August 31.

The action by Kellogg’s is actually filed against TJ Kokkinakis Pty Ltd, believed to be a company controlled by the tennis star’s father.

Kokkinakis and fellow Aussie Nick Kyrgios, who play doubles together, are often referred to in the media as the Special Ks.

As he did through 2016, Kokkinakis has battled injury this year.

A troublesome shoulder problem has limited him to just two ATP Tour singles matches, both of which were defeats.

The South Australian lost in straight sets to World No.81 Denis Istomin in Lyon last month.

Kokkinakis then lost his first-round match at the French Open, but did impress in taking a set off eighth-seed Kei Nishikori of Japan.

Nishikori won the contest 4-6 6-1 6-4 6-4 at Roland Garros.

– with The New Daily