Novak Djokovic apparently suffered an injury scare on Wednesday at Melbourne Park as he was forced to leave a practice session early. Last week, Djokovic pulled his leg during his Adelaide International semifinal match against Daniil Medvedev.
However, Djokovic was able to beat Medvedev and then Korda in the Adelaide final. On Wednesday, Djokovic practiced at Melbourne Park. Per sports reporter Martin Gabon who was on the scene, Djokovic had an intervention on his leg before leaving the practice.
Injury scare for Novak Djokovic. Had his left knee worked on at the change of ends. Was broken immediately and isn’t moving very well pic.twitter.com/cy33nFvE0g — Martin Gabor (@MartinJGabor) January 11, 2023
Match over after one set.
Djokovic led 3-2 with a break but won just one more game after doctors assessed his left knee at three consecutive changes of end. For context, the match between Auger-Aliassime and Garin beforehand went for twice as long #AusOpen pic.twitter.com/Md01VtEjdD — Martin Gabor (@MartinJGabor) January 11, 2023
Djokovic suggested he was alright
Djokovic survived a real thriller in the Adelaide final as he saved a championship point to beat Korda 6-7 (8) 7-6 (3) 6-4.
After edging out Korda in over three hours of play, Djokovic said there was nothing about his hamstring that would worry him. “Woke up all right. Went deep into night last night with work done with the physio. Talk with the doctor.
There was a lot of care going into today’s match. Few times in the match I felt was tightening up, the muscle, but nothing that would worry me,” Djokovic said after winning Adelaide. Also after winning Adelaide, Djokovic sounded extremely happy about returning to the Australian Open.
“I couldn’t ask for a better preparation and lead-up to Australian Open. Of course, Australian Open is the biggest reason why I’m here in Australia, but at the same time I want to win every tournament I play on, regardless of the level of the tournament.
I love playing in Australia. I mean, my results are a testament to that. I wouldn’t be able to play so well in a place where I don’t feel well. I look forward to Melbourne. Rod Laver is probably my most — not probably, it certainly is my most successful court in my career,” Djokovic said. The Australian Open starts on Monday and Djokovic still has a couple of days left to fix his injury concerns.
