“It is really up to God,” Novak Djokovic confesses his hamstring isn’t healed, gives his take on the ‘Slow’ Australian Open’s balls
Novak Djokovic continues to inch closer to his 10th Australian Open title as he reaches the third round at the Grand Slam event in Melbourne Park.
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Novak Djokovic continues his run at the 2023 Australian Open while nursing his hamstring. Up against lesser-known Frenchman Enzo Couacaud in the second round, the Serb great won the match in four sets. Djokovic suffered a mild setback in the second set when he lost the set. He had to take a medical timeout as well, raising concerns about his fitness.
But it didn’t become a problem in the subsequent sets, as he won the match 6-1, 6-7(7), 6-2, 6-0, serving a bagel for the second consecutive match. He did, however, admit that his hamstring has been a concern for him and that the condition has only deteriorated since his first-round win against Roberto Carballes Baena.
“To be honest, it is not good at all. I will take it day to day. It was better in feeling in the last match than tonight. That’s all I can say now and now it is really upto the God to help me and the physio and everyone. Let’s take it day by day and hope that I can recover and be ready for tough match up in the next match,” said Djokovic speaking with Eurosport after his second-round win.
Related: WATCH: Novak Djokovic gets a drunk fan thrown out during his match at the 2023 Australian Open
Novak Djokovic admits the balls at Australian Open are ‘Different’ this year
Apart from the concerns about his injury, there was another obstacle for Novak Djokovic. The Dunlop-produced Australian Open balls have come under criticism this year. Rafael Nadal and Felix Auger-Aliassime had both expressed their disappointment in the ball, and the 21-time Grand Slam title winner has also partially joined them.
“The balls are a bit slower this year than a few years ago when I played last. I think quite a few players complained about it. I am not complaining, just commenting that the balls are a bit slower which kind of makes it difficult in these conditions to penetrate the court and find winners against players like Enzo who is a very good athlete. He moves well, he defends well and at one point he just stepped up,” said Djokovic.
Nole was candid again, as always, and did not hesitate to comment on the crowd at his match. While he had support for the majority of the match, there was an instance where a few drunk spectators started disturbing him. He eventually complained to the chair umpire, who had those spectators removed from the Rod Laver Arena.
Talking about the overall environment, Djokovic said, “Little bit of everything tonight. Just glad to get through this kind of match in four sets. Wanted to get in three but credit to him for playing some really good tennis toward the end of the second. Some interesting circumstances that I had to deal with but I guess that’s Grand Slam. Night sessions, they can be electric in both positive and negative ways for a player on the court.
The nine-time Australian Open winner will now take on Grigor Dimitrov in the third round. With seeds Casper Ruud, Alexander Zverev, and Pablo Carreno Busta out today, the draw has opened up nicely for the Serb, who is now the top contender for the title and will also become World No. 1 with the title.
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Sarthak Shitole
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