Novak Djokovic admits he ‘didn’t want to risk it too much’, but ‘just had to play’ in Adelaide

Novak Djokovic has explained why he eventually decided to play in the Adelaide exhibition tournament after initially withdrawing from the event.
The world No 1 along with Rafael Nadal, Dominic Thiem and Jannik Sinner as well as WTA stars Ashleigh Barty, Simona Halep, Naomi Osaka and Serena Williams took part in A Day at the Drive on Friday.
Djokovic, though, withdrew minutes before he was due to take on Sinner and was replaced by fellow Serbian Filip Krajinovic.
However, the 17-time Grand Slam winner emerged for the second set and the Serbian duo eventually won the match 6-3, 6-3.
“I’m sorry that I didn’t step on the court from the beginning,” Djokovic told Nine later.
“I had to do some treatment with my physio and wasn’t feeling my best the last couple of days. I didn’t know how I was going to react. I wanted to play and I wanted to get out here and hopefully it was enough for you guys.
“It’s not easy (to play with the blister) but it is part of what we do. We’re professional athletes and we learn over the years to play with pain and it’s just a question of whether that pain is bearable or not.
“Coming off a hard training block and having the ATP Cup and the Australian Open around the corner, you don’t want to risk it too much. The emotion was so strong in me to come out on the court today to see full stands and I just had to play.”
Follow us on Twitter @T365Official and like our Facebook page.
Latest
-
French Open
Former French Open finalist Marketa Vondrousova out of Roland Garros after undergoing ‘small surgery’
Marketa Vondrousova withdraws from French Open.
-
Wimbledon
Explainer – Why Wimbledon’s Russian and Belarusian ban has caused a crisis at the heart of tennis
The decision from Wimbledon and the LTA to ban Russian and Belarusian players has divided opinion.
-
Tennis News
Stefanos Tsitsipas praises ‘great champion’ Novak Djokovic: ‘He’s like a Formula 1 car’
Stefanos Tsitsipas lavish in his praise of Novak Djokovic.
-
Tennis News
Carlos Alcaraz on his big goal: ‘I am clear about my dream, which is to be No 1 in the world’
Carlos Alcaraz dreams of becoming world No 1 and he’s not shy of saying it in public.
-
Tennis News
Emma Raducanu on rotating coaches: ‘People might look at me like I’m crazy but I trust my decision-making’
Emma Raducanu trusting her own process.
-
WTA Tour
WTA calendar update: Guadalajara to host WTA 1000 event as China remains absent from schedule
Changes to the 2022 WTA calendar.
-
French Open
Iga Swiatek hailed as ‘the boss’ as French Open chief Amelie Mauresmo praises ‘new era’ in women’s tennis
Iga Swiatek steering women’s tennis into a new era.
-
French Open
French Open news: Home hopes dented with Gael Monfils withdrawal
French No 1 Gael Monfils has withdrawn from the Lyon Open and Roland Garros.
-
News
ATP finally make a decision on Queen’s and Eastbourne – but Wimbledon are still waiting
Russian and Belarusian players were last month banned from competing at Wimbledon.
-
ATP Tour
Jo-Wilfried Tsonga’s Lyon farewell ends in heartbreaking first round loss
It ends early for Jo-Wilfried Tsonga in Lyon.