Novak Djokovic’s The hamstring damage scare continues to hover over him Australian Open tilt after the nine-time champion required remedy on his left leg all through an exhibition observe match in opposition to Daniil Medvedev on Wednesday.
Djokovic pushed by way of hamstring tightness to say final week’s Adelaide Worldwide 1 and agency as favourite for a 10th Melbourne Park title.
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He has received 34 consecutive matches in Australia, together with his final defeat a shock fourth-round loss to Korean Hyeon Chung in on the 2018 Australian Open.
However his return to Australia has not all gone easily.
Djokovic tweaked his left hamstring within the semi-final in South Australia when additionally enjoying Medvedev and required a medical time-out, however recovered to win that match, then the ultimate.
After beating Sebastian Korda in Sunday’s decider, the 35-year-old revealed he’d labored “deep into the night time” together with his physio after the semi-final and to shake off the niggle in time for the next day’s ultimate.
“It was alright,” Djokovic mentioned, noting he was assured it would not have an effect on him on the Open.
“There have been just a few instances within the match I felt was tightening up, the muscle, however nothing that will fear me for my efficiency.”
However in Wednesday’s observe match with Medvedev at Rod Laver Enviornment, the primary time Djokovic had performed in entrance of the Melbourne public since final 12 months’s deportation saga, the damage appeared to rear its head once more.
The session was meant to be 75 minutes however Djokovic exited after Medvedev claimed the primary set 6-Four in 36 minutes.
He broke the Russian former world No.1 within the opening recreation however, when main 3-2, obtained remedy, with a member of his staff finishing some knee extensions, which can be utilized to launch the hamstring muscle.
He solely received yet another recreation from that time onwards.
Medvedev received the subsequent two video games and Djokovic once more obtained the identical remedy on the break when trailing 4-3, and once more at 5-4, earlier than pulling the pin when the Russian triumphed a recreation later.
Spanish veteran Pablo Andújar stepped in for the star Serb as Medvedev remained on court docket.
Djokovic is supposed to play Nick Kyrgios in one other exhibition match on Friday night time.
The pleasant observe match set was performed in jovial spirits between Medvedev and Djokovic in entrance of a small, well mannered crowd of spectators who paid $20 every for the brand new likelihood.
Djokovic, who refused to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations and brought about an uproar when he arrived in Melbourne final 12 months earlier than finally being deported, obtained a fairly heat welcome.
There was no signal of animosity in the direction of Djokovic or Medvedev, who lamented his personal remedy from followers in Australia final 12 months.
