Australian Open 2024: Novak Djokovic on injury concerns, Alex de Minaur

Serbian superstar Novak Djokovic has opened up on his latest injury concern as he bids to make history at Melbourne Park, providing an ominous warning to his title rivals.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic speaks at a press conference in Melbourne on January 13, 2024 ahead of the Australian Open tennis championship starting on January 14. (Photo by Lillian SUWANRUMPHA / AFP) / — IMAGE RESTRICTED TO EDITORIAL USE – STRICTLY NO COMMERCIAL USE —

It’s the news 127 of the world’s best tennis players didn’t want to hear.

Novak Djokovic is fit for the Australian Open.

The King of Melbourne Park on Saturday declared he was ready to commence his title defence after training “pain-free” with the troublesome right wrist that became the talk of tennis last week, adding the injury was “not as bad” as the ones he played through in 2021 and 2023.

Djokovic’s straight-sets defeat to Alex de Minaur in Perth on January 3, ending a six-year unbeaten run in Australia, was quickly overshadowed by the revelation he was battling pain in his wrist.

In what has become an almost annual pre-tournament sideshow, the 10-time Australian Open champion’s fitness was once again under a microscope.

Serbia's Novak Djokovic struggles with an injury during the 2021 Australian Open.

But on the eve of his opening round clash against Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic, Djokovic declared he was ready to begin his charge toward a record-setting 25th Grand Slam title.

“I had time after the last match against de Minaur in the United Cup to my first match here to recover, so I have been training well,” he said.

“My practice sessions have been pain-free so far so it’s good, it’s all looking good. We will see how it goes.

“It’s not as bad as some other injuries I had here — in 2021 and last year I had worse injuries that I had to deal with.

“I can’t predict whether it’s going to come back once I start playing more matches; (once the) stress levels go higher, I don’t know. We will have to find out.”

In 2021, Djokovic said he suffered an abdominal injury in his third-round win over Taylor Fritz.

When he went on to win that year’s tournament, beating Daniil Medvedev in the final, he revealed an MRI confirmed a muscle tear.

Last year, Djokovic claimed to have carried a 3cm hamstring tear into the Australian Open – which he again went on to win, dropping just a single set in the process.

But the super Serbian is clearly not 100 per cent convinced of his fitness.

When asked who his greatest competitor would be in Melbourne, Djokovic replied: “Myself, always first. And then of course all the other best players in the world.”

Novak Djokovic faces the press at Melbourne Park. Picture: Phil Walter/Getty Images

One man who could be standing in his way of a record-extending 11th Australian Open title is de Minaur.

The Aussie No. 1 and recently minted world No. 10 would meet Djokovic in the semi-finals, should both players progress that far.

Having fallen victim to de Minaur’s ever-improving game only two weeks ago, Djokovic said he expected the Aussie to “go deep in the tournament”.

“De Minaur played great in the United Cup. He beat Fritz, myself, (Alexander) Zverev; he broke into the top 10 for the first time in his career – that’s obviously a big deal for him and Australian tennis,” Djokovic said.

“It didn’t come as a surprise to me. I know that he is capable of doing big things. He is one of the quickest – if not the quickest – players in the game and he has an all-round tennis game.

“I know that expectations are high for him as they are normally for (Nick) Kyrgios or any other top Australian player when they play at home and there is a great chance that he can do very well and go deep in the tournament.

“We can’t predict the results, but he is in great shape.”

Originally published as Australian Open 2024: Novak Djokovic on injury concerns, Alex de Minaur