“Stories are always present,” Novak Djokovic clarifies his Australian Open injury putting the final nail in the coffin
Novak Djokovic finally presents his side of the injury saga at the 2023 Australian Open that was questioned throughout his campaign in Melbourne Park.
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Novak Djokovic‘s 2023 Australian Open win was truly historic. Not only did he return to World No. 1 and match Rafael Nadal once again, but it was also a true redemption for one of the sport’s greatest champions. Booted out of the country the previous year by court-signed deportation, Djokovic made his comeback by lifting the biggest trophy in Australia.
While it was a fairytale ending, the path wasn’t so hunky dory. He reached Melbourne Park with a hamstring injury which troubled him throughout the first week. While the pain was reduced in the second week, he was still nursing a huge taping. His father Srdjan was also captured at a pro-Russian demonstration surrounding the Ukraine War. Djokovic had to bail out his father who found himself in the wrong place at the wrong time and as a result, was given an official warning.
The focus however remained on Novak’s injury. The one envious of his win accused him of faking it. The case of his ‘magic water‘ once again tried stealing the limelight from him. The 22-time Grand Slam singles winner however battled everything to win his 10th title Down Under.
“Stories are always present, not only in my case but in every player who has top results. Critics are always there, those who will speculate whether something is true or not, but I really don’t have the energy, time, or desire to deal with every story that comes out about me. I know what is right and what is true. Australia is where I have had the best results of my career. Even though I had a short stay last year and left the way I did I wanted to come back.
“If there was a challenge in terms of pressure off the field – yes. I especially felt this in the first days when I came until I got used to it. There were also situations during the tournament that was not pleasant and that I had to deal with, but that is an integral part of my life path. That victory was all the sweeter and I am more fulfilled considering what I was going through,” said Djokovic in his much-awaited press conference in Belgrade.
Related: Why Wimbledon 2023 should not ban players from Russia and Belarus
Hamstring injury still troubling Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic has not played a professional match since winning the title in Australia. His comeback has been much awaited given he has once again returned to World No. 1. spot. Speaking in the press conference, Djokovic gave an update on his injury recovery and schedule for the coming months.
“Regarding my injury situation before the Australian Open – it’s fixed and I’m close to 100 percent. I’m not there yet, but things are looking good and as a team we made a decision to go to Dubai where I travel tomorrow and hope for the title. I’ll see, it depends on the situation with America, but that’s not in my hands. I’m getting ready for that tour, but we’ll see what happens,” said the Serbian great.
Post his deportation last year, Djokovic made his season debut in Dubai and returns there this year as well. It will be his first event since becoming the World No. 1 once again and also the first since he will overtake Steffi Graf to become the player with the most weeks at the top.
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