Djokovic moved by Aussie reception on return

1 year ago 97

Novak Djokovic has kick-started his Australian summertime successful the champion imaginable mode with a straight-sets triumph implicit France's Constant Lestienne.

Taking conscionable 1 hr and 14 minutes, Djokovic eased past the satellite No.65, to triumph 6-3, 6-2 successful his first-round match-up astatine the Adelaide International.

Speaking post-match, Djokovic acknowledged the ample assemblage gathered astir Centre Court which showered him with cheers passim the contest.

"First of all, I person to accidental I'm gladsome to beryllium backmost successful Australia. Thank you each for coming retired today," helium said.

"Thank you for giving maine the invited that I could lone privation for."

Securing his archetypal singles triumph of the 2023 season, Djokovic was pleased with his performance.

"For my archetypal match, I can't complain. I played precise well," helium said.

"I thought the archetypal six games were precise competitory and I've ne'er faced [Lestienne] earlier today's match. He's a counter-puncher, helium doesn't marque excessively galore mistakes and helium benignant of absorbs the gait from his opponent, with benignant of a tricky service - you cognize hits his spots.

"Once I made that interruption astatine 3-2 successful the archetypal set, I felt similar I stepped it up astir apt 1 oregon 2 levels and played truly bully tennis for the remainder of the match."

Djokovic archetypal won the Adelaide International successful 2007 - 5 years into his nonrecreational vocation - earlier going connected to assertion his archetypal large astatine Melbourne Park the pursuing twelvemonth erstwhile helium bushed Jo-Wilfried Tsonga successful the Australian Open final.

"I truly haven't been successful Adelaide decently since 2007," helium said astir playing successful South Australia.

"My manager is present from 2007. He's present (today), helium was calved successful Adelaide and he's a section guy. So, bully to person him present and relive those memories you cognize from present 15-16 years ago."

Now with 9 Australian Open titles successful total, Djokovic reflected connected the occurrence helium has been capable to seizure Down Under and his narration with the country.

"I mean if I person to prime 1 state wherever I had the astir occurrence - successful each which treated maine successful the champion mode successful presumption of tennis," helium said.

"I won my archetypal slam successful 2008. I mean, I've had immoderate epic matches - if I person to prime 1 would astir apt beryllium the last against Nadal successful 2012 that went astir six hours.

"Over the years Australia has been a spot wherever I person played my champion tennis without a doubt, and I truly ever look guardant to coming present again.

"Even (after) the circumstances past twelvemonth were arsenic they were, and it wasn't casual for anybody, but I'm conscionable blessed to beryllium present and absorption connected tennis and bask my clip with you guys.

Djokovic volition look different Frenchman - Quentin Halys - successful the 2nd round.

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