Djokovic's prognosis clear amid injury concern

1 year ago 57

Australian Open organisers volition beryllium capable to respire a suspiration of alleviation aft Novak Djokovic's ascendant archetypal circular show nether an wounded cloud.

The Serbian demolished Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena successful consecutive sets – 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 – to cruise done to the 2nd round.

Fans who packed retired Rod Laver Arena weren't funny truthful overmuch successful the result, but much truthful if the 21-time expansive slam victor would marque it done unscathed.

AS IT HAPPENED: Australian Open 2023 time 2 highlights

Djokovic has been nursing a hamstring injury and fears helium mightiness propulsion the pin connected the Australian Open were heightened erstwhile helium cancelled a signifier session.

By each accounts though, the 35-year-old should beryllium capable to spot retired the competition.

Speaking connected Stan Sport's Grand Slam Daily, tennis pro turned commentator Mark Petchey painted a agleam representation for Djokovic and his fans.

"There were a mates of times successful the match, to beryllium honest, that helium benignant of stretched for a shot oregon a mates of driblet shots wherever helium benignant of shook his limb retired afterwards," said Petchey.

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"There's decidedly immoderate interest there. You won't not person a practice, which is what happened 2 days anterior to this, if determination isn't a concern.

"You're going to spell done your routine, you're going to marque definite everything is normal. So the world is, determination decidedly is an contented with Novak's hamstring, but it's intelligibly not thing that helium can't negociate astatine the moment.

"Will it beryllium astir erstwhile the tougher tests come? Probably not, and that's astir apt what I'm definite he's hoping for. For the clip being, everything looked beauteous bully retired there."

Petchey said that adjacent if the hamstring contented lingers, it won't beryllium capable to enactment him retired of contention.

He noted erstwhile instances wherever the erstwhile satellite No.1 had fought done wounded for results.

"I deliberation he's going to beryllium fine," Petchey added.

"He's had problems present successful the past. Let's not hide erstwhile helium tore the ab(dominal muscle) against Taylor Fritz successful 2021. Remember erstwhile helium was feeling precise poorly against (Dominic) Theim successful the last of AO successful 2020 arsenic well. Had to spell disconnected astatine 4-1 down successful the 3rd set.

"He's got signifier present successful the past wherever helium hasn't felt cleanable and he's inactive travel distant with the silverware. I'm not going to number him out.

"I said (on Tuesday) connected commentary; would you instrumentality Novak oregon would you instrumentality the different 127 players to triumph the title? They're the 2 choices you have, and I deliberation astir radical would instrumentality Novak."

Djokovic cruises done first-round AO match

Djokovic drew an tremendous assemblage to Rod Laver Arena for his archetypal circular matchup, the Melbourne fans seemingly forgiving immoderate wrongdoings of the past.

It's nary concealed that the Belgrade-born tennis prima had come nether aggravated scrutiny owed to his vaccination stance, 1 which could person polarised Victorians fixed their predicament during the COVID-19 pandemic.

In his foundation lucifer with Nick Kyrgios, 'The Joker' confessed helium was affectional aft a rapturous effect from the Melbourne crowd.

There were akin scenes connected Tuesday night.

"Melbourne conscionable wrapped their arms astir him," said Petchey.

"There was nary question astir that, what happened 12 months agone has decidedly been forgiven. They're ace blessed to spot him back.

"I deliberation we're all, successful tennis, ace happy. When helium puts connected a amusement similar helium did (on Tuesday night), I mean, it is simply a sport, but it's entertainment.

"There are precise fewer players that vie similar Novak, and I thought helium possibly peaked excessively aboriginal successful the tournament, but lad was it a joyousness to watch."

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