"It's not as bad as some other injuries I had here"- Novak Djokovic allays concerns about wrist injury ahead of Australian Open, says he's 'pain-free'
Novak Djokovic has dismissed concerns about his wrist injury ahead of his campaign at the Australian Open, which starts on Sunday (January 14).
The World No. 1 was bothered by a wrist issue during his campaign at the United Cup last week. While he played through the pain to beat Jiri Lehecka, the issue cropped up again in his defeat to Alex de Minaur in his next match.
A week later, though, the Serb says that he's injury-free and ready to launch his assault on another title at Melbourne Park. Ahead of his tournament opener against qualifier Dino Prizmic, the Serb said in his pre-match press conference:
"My wrist is good. I had time from the last match against De Minaur in the United Cup to my first match here to recover. I've been training well. Practice sessions pain-free so far. It's good. It's all looking good. Let's see how it goes."
The Serb added that he's had worse issues in the lead-up to the year's first Grand Slam:
"It's not as bad as some other injuries I had here. 2021 and last year I had worse injuries that I had to deal with. So, yeah, I mean, I can't predict whether it's going to come back. Once I start playing more matches, stress levels go higher. I don't know. We have to find out."
Djokovic holds an impressive 89-8 record at Melbourne Park, winning his last 28 matches (title runs in 2019-21, 2023) since losing to Hyeon Chung in the fourth round in 2018.
Novak Djokovic shares 'secret of success' at the Australian Open
Novak Djokovic is a bonafide legend of the sport and the king of Melbourne Park, having won a record 10 titles — four more than the next most successful player in the Open Era, Roger Federer.
In his aforementioned press conference, Djokovic revealed how he visits familiar places whenever he has time during the busy Melbourne fortnight. The Serb elaborated on how he loves unwinding in nature's lap:
"I do obviously like to visit certain places that have brought me luck and make me feel good. For example, botanical gardens just nearby, it's a wonderful park where I like to spend time and just be by myself in nature, just grounding, hugging trees, climbing trees and stuff. I love to do that. So I've done that for, yeah, last 15 years.
"Whether that's secret of success here in Australia or not, I don't know, but it has definitely made me feel good (smiling).
A win in the first round will make Novak Djokovic the first player to win at least 90 matches at three Grand Slams.