Novak Djokovic’s big Australian Open injury scare set to be tested next week

Kevin Palmer
Australian Open reveal plans for opening night show featuring Novak Djokovic
Australian Open reveal plans for opening night show featuring Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic has suffered a big injury scare ahead of the Australian Open and the tennis world won’t have to wait long to discover how big an issue the 10-time champion in Melbourne is nursing.

Djokovic is confident he can recover in time for his Australian Open title defence after the world No 1 struggled with a problem with his right wrist and was not at his best in a straight-sets defeat to Alex de Minuar in the United Cup in Perth.

Djokovic, bidding for a record-extending 11th men’s Australian Open singles title, lost 6-4 6-4 to world number 12 De Minaur as Australia beat Serbia 2-0 in their quarter-final in the mixed team event.

“Congrats to De Minaur, he was very solid from the beginning, just played a great match and deserved to win,” Djokovic said in a post-match interview.

“I was not at my level, but it was just one of these days where you didn’t feel your best on the court and your opponent played very well, that’s all I can say.

“I have enough time to get myself in the right shape for the Australian Open and that’s what matters the most at this point.

“I think I’ll be OK, to be honest, but it did have quite an impact, particularly on the forehand and serve.

“But, again, I don’t want to spend too much time talking about it and taking away credit for the victory from De Minaur, he was just very solid as he always is.

“Congrats to him and to the Australian team. It is what it is for us I guess and I move on with my thoughts in Melbourne.”

READ MORE: Novak Djokovic’s injury scare may be more alarming than first feared after shock defeat

Djokovic will now have less than two weeks to get his arm ready to launch the defence of his Australian Open crown and his scheduled appearance at an opening night event ahead of the Australian Open will not be under extra scrutiny.

The Serbian superstar is the headline act on an event entitled ‘A night with Novak & friends’ that will be staged at Melbourne Park, the home of the Australian Open on January 11th.

All eyes will be on Djokovic and how his arm is holding up when he plays in what will be a fun session with fellow players and celebrities.

Yet if he was forced to pull out of the event, it would cast a huge doubt over whether he will be ready to compete in best-of-five-set matches a few days later.

This event is part of a compelling week of build-up events ahead of the Australian Open, which gets underway on Sunday, January 14th.

Qualifying fo the first major of 2024 starts on January 8, with some of the biggest names in tennis playing warm-up matches in front of crowds on the Australian Open courts from January 8-12.

Returning Grand Slam champion Naomi Osaka is taking part in an event entitled ‘Blockbuster Women’s Showdown’ on January 9 and Wimbledon champion Carlos Alacarz is set to play Australia’s No 1 Alex De Minaur in an exhibition match on January 10.

Alcaraz is also the poster boy for an event on January 12 that will see the rising stars of the game going head-to-head.

This is all part of a week-long build-up to the Australian Open, with lots of money set to be raised

Related Articles