Djokovic downplaying wrist issue, says “It’s looking good” for Australian Open

• Djokovic downplays the right wrist issue.
• He won last year’s Australian Open with a hamstring strain.
• Practice sessions have been pain-free.

A right wrist issue isn’t bothering Novak Djokovic too much as he prepares to defend his Australian Open championship.

The Serbian said on Saturday that in his last two championship-winning campaigns, he had dealt with more significant issues.

During his straight sets loss to Alex de Minaur at the United Cup this month—his first loss in Australia in six years—the 24-time Grand Slam champion had wrist pain.

“I had time from the last match against De Minaur in the United Cup to my first match here to recover,” Djokovic told reporters before his first-round match on Sunday against Croatian qualifier Dino Prizmic.

“I’ve been training well. Practice sessions are pain-free so far. It’s all looking good. Let’s see how it goes.”

With a strained hamstring, Djokovic won the major last year. The Serbian, who was deported for refusing to get vaccinated against Covid, won the 2021 championship while recovering from an intestinal ailment.

“It’s not as bad as some of the other injuries I had here,” Djokovic said.

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

Djokovic had before made light of the fact that he posed the largest threat to himself.

“Myself always first and then of course all the other best players in the world,” he added. “Any player is here with, I’m sure, an intention to achieve the dream of winning a Slam.

“Some players are obviously expected to go further than some others. It’s 128 draw, a Grand Slam. We know what they represent for our sport. It’s where every player wants to play their best tennis. It’s exciting to be a part of another slam.”

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