Novak Djokovic dismisses cynics for record tenth Australian Open

Novak Djokovic has revealed the truth about his hamstring injury after claiming his 10th Australian Open title at Melbourne Park.

MELBOURNE, AUSTRALIA - JANUARY 29: Novak Djokovic of Serbia plays a backhand as he returns a serve in the Men's Singles Final match against Stefanos Tsitsipas of Greece during day 14 of the 2023 Australian Open at Melbourne Park on January 29, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia. (Photo by Clive Brunskill/Getty Images) *** BESTPIX ***

Novak Djokovic has spoken to public conjecture over his injured hamstring during the course of this year’s Australian Open as key to motivating him to a record tenth title at Melbourne Park, defeating Greece’s Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5).

Djokovic won the Adelaide International in the lead-up to the Open after sustaining an injury to his left hamstring in the semifinal against Daniil Medvedev.

Cynical fans questioned him through his run to the final, where the Serb dropped only one set for the entire tournament, whether he was ever truly injured, with Australian Alex de Minaur saying after their fourth round clash “I thought he was moving pretty well”.

“You tell me how you thought he looked out there,” he told reporters after the match.

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Djokovic said in the aftermath of his record-equalling 22nd career Slam, that he would have withdrawn from the tournament if it hadn’t been a major.

“A lot of people doubted and still doubt whether I was injured,” he said.

“I’m going to post some stuff to prove but I don’t feel like I need to prove anything to anyone.

“It did affect me, especially in the first week.

“From the fourth round onwards, I felt like it was behind me.”

Novak Djokovic hasn’t lost a match at Rod Laver Arena since before the pandemic. (Photo by MANAN VATSYAYANA / AFP)--

Goran Ivanisevic, himself the only player to win at Wimbledon as a wildcard, has coached Djokovic since 2019, and rated this win his finest given his injury troubles and his complete domination of his opponents.

“Definitely the best one, not only because all what happened last year and he came back, but last three weeks, they were extremely hard,” Ivanisevic said.

“I thought I saw everything in 2021 when he won here with the abdominal tear.

“97% of the players, when you see the result of the MRI, you go straight to the referee office and pull out of the tournament.

“But not him.

“This one was unbelievable. He is from other space. His brain is working different.”

"He is the greatest that has ever held a tennis racquet."@steftsitsipas • @DjokerNole • #AusOpen • #AO2023pic.twitter.com/VDvVI9r8RP

— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 29, 2023

The Croatian coach was asked about Novak’s characteristic outbursts at his box, which at times during the final saw emotion get the better of him and allowed Tsitsipas back into the second set.

“I was tennis player (before coaching), I was also little bit crazy,” he said.

“I understand how he feels. I understand the emotions.

“This is final of Grand Slam. I don’t mind.

“As long as he wins, (it) is okay.”

On-court, Djokovic remains undefeated at Melbourne Park, extending his winning streak on Rod Laver Arena to 28 matches, dating back to the fourth round at 2018, where he was upset by unseeded Korean Chung Hyeon.

Novak Djokovic pulls up short on his injured left hamstring during his 2nd round match. Picture by Michael Klein

The 35-year-old spoke of how comfortable he was in Australia, saying if he had to choose one set of conditions to play in, it would be here, praising the much-maligned Dunlop balls.

“If I have to choose one court conditions, balls, it would be night session Rod Laver with these balls,” he said.

“For me, (they are) by far the best conditions that I’ve ever played in.

“And I always want to play night session because I had such a great record.

“I just feel so comfortable.

“The court played really well for me.

“I can play the best tennis that I can, that I’m capable of.

“I just found my groove - I just found the momentum and never looked back.”