Djokovic opens up about his injury after Adelaide triumph
ATP
Novak Djokovic might have started the 2023 season with a trophy in his hands, but there were still many reasons to ring alarm bells.
Djokovic's tennis was not an issue. He won the title at the Adelaide International, winning some high-quality matches along the way. However, throughout the event, the Serbian's hamstring seemed to be bothering him.
After ending the Adelaide International with the title in his hands, Djokovic spoke about his tournament, which he was happy about, especially the close final match against Sebastian Korda.
"No one is invincible. We've seen the biggest tennis players in the history of the game lose some big matches. I've lost many matches where I was up actually in a match or close matches."
"Sometimes they go your way, sometimes they don't. Statistically I've won more of those, which I'm obviously very happy about."
"I feel like each one of us is so different and we are all unique in our own way in terms of the character, in terms of the body, in terms of how we play tennis."
"Someone feels more comfortable serving and volleying when you're match point down, some feel [better] playing conservatively from the back of the court. It's really a matter of and a question of the moment, who you play against, what do you feel?"
"Of course, thousands of thoughts are running in your head at that moment. You feel pressure, no doubt. It's just now how you handle it, how you adapt to it, and how you bring yourself back to the present moment and try to get the most out of it."
Djokovic also spoke in detail about his injury. He had to work a lot with his physio to be physically ready to compete, which he ultimately was.
However, in his semi-final match against Daniil Medvedev as well as in his final match against Sebastian Korda, the Serbian felt the hamstring a few times.
"I woke up alright. Went deep into night last night with work done with the physio. Talked with the doctors, as well, of the tournament, et cetera. There was a lot of care going into today's match about the hamstring."
"It was alright. [A] few times in the match I felt was tightening up, the muscle, but nothing that would worry me for my performance."
Djokovic will now hope to be as fresh as possible for the Australian Open. He will attempt to add his 10th title at the Grand Slam in Melbourne.
