On the day his new-found pal Nick Kyrgios pulled out of the Australian Open earlier than the primary spherical, Novak Djokovic raised fears that he would be a part of the exodus earlier than rising for a night-time observe session.
However the nine-time champion’s eventual look has confirmed he’s not out of the woods with a hamstring harm sustained in Adelaide earlier this month.
Djokovic, who has already lower brief or canceled earlier coaching classes in Melbourne, known as off a 7pm observe on Monday one hour earlier than it was as a result of begin.
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The place Kyrgios’s snap press convention earlier within the afternoon hinted at what was to return there was no information forthcoming on the Serbian’s plans.
That was, nonetheless, till he confirmed up after 8pm for an impromptu hit on an out of doors court docket.
Djokovic’s left hamstring was closely taped, the minor element sparking issues that it was extra health take a look at than critical observe.
“Thanks for coming,” Djokovic was quoted as saying after the session.
“All the things is okay, see you on the match.”
Djokovic’s first-round conflict with Spain’s Roberto Carballes Baena has been scheduled final in Tuesday’s night time session on Rod Laver Area.
One of many main contenders to win the grand slam, a 10th triumph in Melbourne wouldn’t be the primary time the Serbian has overcome an harm impediment to raise the trophy.
Djokovic tore an belly indirect muscle within the third spherical of the 2021 match and nonetheless went on to defeat Daniil Medvedev within the last.
The previous world No.1 pushed via the hamstring tightness to say the title in Adelaide, having labored “deep into the night time” together with his physio between the semi-final and last.
A scheduled 75-minute observe match with Medvedev final Wednesday in Melbourne was deserted after Djokovic wanted three medical time-outs in simply 36 minutes.
“I simply felt it a bit, pulling, and I did not need to threat something worse,” he stated on the time.
“So I performed a set after which apologized to him, he was understanding, and so I simply need to keep away from any type of greater scares earlier than the Australian Open.”
Djokovic additionally performed a decidedly much less critical exhibition match in opposition to Kyrgios on Friday.
The one-time foes have talked up a ‘bromance’ in latest weeks and hinted at pairing as much as play doubles in the event that they cross paths at a match this yr.
