Novak Djokovic serves up huge injury boost after Australian Open loss;reveals critical Knee injury update
Novak Djokovic fans have been waiting anxiously for updates on the condition of the arm and wrist of the world No 1 ahead of his defence of the Australian Open title – and the initial news appears to be positive.
Djokovic suggested he was confident he could recover from a wrist injury in time to play at his best in Melbourne after struggling with the problem in a straight-sets defeat to Alex de Minuar in the United Cup in Perth last week.
Djokovic, bidding for a record-extending 11th men’s Australian Open singles title, lost 6-4 6-4 to world number 12 De Minaur as Australia beat Serbia 2-0 in their quarter-final in the mixed team event.Congrats to De Minaur, he was very solid from the beginning, just played a great match and deserved to win,” Djokovic said in a post-match interview.
“I was not at my level, but it was just one of these days where you didn’t feel your best on the court and your opponent played very well, that’s all I can say.
“I have enough time to get myself in the right shape for the Australian Open and that’s what matters the most at this point.
“I think I’ll be OK, to be honest, but it did have quite an impact, particularly on the forehand and serve.”
AdDjokovic suggested he would have a few days away from the court to allow his arm to rest and recover ahead of a tough two-week event in Melbourne, but he has delivered the news his fans have been hoping for.
The 10-time Australian Open champion will be back on court on Tuesday as he plays his first public practice session since his defeat in the United Cup.
There is also an expectation from Australian Open organisers that Djokovic will headline a charity event at Rod Laver Arena on Thursday that will feature a host of star names.Djokovic’s name on the practice sheet will excite his supporters, with former British No 1 telling Tennis365 that she believes the Serbian will be impossible to beat in Melbourne if he stays injury-free.
“It’s hard to see anyone beating him in Melbourne,” said Robson, who will be working for Eurosport and discovery+ during their live coverage of the Australian Open
“There is something here that works for his game and the fans are just crazy Novak Djokovic supporters here. You don’t really see that anywhere else in the world. I just feel he loves playing here.He is struggling with this forearm issue at the moment, but he has had that before. So I assume he knows how to manage it and will be ready in time.
“Given that it is Djokovic, I would think that he can request a late start, given that he has won this tournament so many times.”
Laura RobsonThere are some intriguing practice pairings scheduled for Rod Laver Arena on Tuesday, with five-time finalist Andy Murray set to hit with last year’s runner-up Stefanos Tsitsipas.
Those two had a famous fall-out after Murray accused Tsitsipas of taking too long on toilet breaks at the US Open in 2021.
AdTsitsipas also ended Murray’s Wimbledon challenge in a five-set thriller last year, but the pair are now on good terms and this practice session confirms that.
“I think it has been settled already a long time ago,” said Tsitsipas of his row with Murray.
“We had to play Laver Cup together in the same team. I’ve forgotten about it. He has forgotten about it,” said Tsitsipas after seeing off Dominic Thiem in five sets at the All England Club on Wednesday.
“He’s someone that I respect. He has done great things in tennis.”Carlos Alcaraz is also due to practice in Melbourne on Tuesday and he will be hitting with world No 5 Andrey Rublev, with Daniil Medvedev and newly crowned Brisbane champion Grigor Dimitrov also scheduled to practice together.
