Novak Djokovic, the defending champion of the Australian Open, provided a positive injury update as he prepares to start his title defense. The Serbian tennis star injured his wrist while playing for his country in the United Cup last week, but he reassured fans that his wrist is now in good condition.
Speaking to reporters on the eve of the tournament, Djokovic expressed his confidence in his recovery, stating, 'My wrist is good. I had time from the last match against de Minaur to my first match here to recover. I've been training well, and practice sessions have been pain-free so far. It's all looking good.'
Djokovic has established a remarkable record at the Australian Open, beginning the year with a title in Australia on multiple occasions. With an incredible 28-match winning streak at Melbourne Park, he has earned an unprecedented 10 men's singles crowns, contributing significantly to his record-breaking 24 Grand Slam titles.
Feeling right at home on the Australian courts, Djokovic hosted 'A Night with Novak and Friends' at Rod Laver Arena, drawing a near capacity crowd. He even made the surprising announcement during the event that he would be playing the night match on Sunday, which marked Day 1 of the first-ever 15-day Australian Open.
The tournament organizers have scheduled both singles champions to play in the first night session. Djokovic will open the night against qualifier Dino Prizmic, followed by Aryna Sabalenka's first-round match against Ella Seidel. Other notable matches include Jannik Sinner, who defeated Djokovic twice last year, facing off against Botic van de Zandschulp on the main show court. Caroline Wozniacki, the 2018 champion who is returning as a mother, will also grace the court during the night session on Margaret Court Arena.
To ensure smoother scheduling and minimize late finishes, the first round of the tournament will be spread across three days. Organizers hope this adjustment will enhance the overall experience for players and spectators alike.
Having won 27 out of his 28 matches in Grand Slams last year, Djokovic narrowly missed claiming a Golden Slam, which entails winning all four majors along with an Olympic gold. Speaking about his goals for this season, Djokovic emphasized his determination to win every major tournament he competes in.
He said, 'It's no different this year. I'm just hoping I can start the season in a way that I have been starting my seasons, most of my seasons, throughout my career: with a win here in Australia, in Melbourne. My favorite place, no doubt.'
For Djokovic, the Australian Open holds special significance as he has emerged victorious in four of the last five tournaments. However, he was unable to compete in 2022 due to his refusal to be vaccinated against COVID-19, making his triumph last year even more memorable.
Reflecting on his victory, which concluded with a straight-sets win against Stefanos Tsitsipas, Djokovic said, 'I hope that, yeah, I'm going to be able to, if not play at the level that I did last year, then be very close to that because that was one of the best tennis levels that I've played, ever played.'
This year, Djokovic could potentially face Carlos Alcaraz, the current No. 2 seed, only in the final. Alcaraz, a 20-year-old Spaniard, expressed his excitement at the prospect of challenging Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena, acknowledging the Serbian's remarkable record at the tournament.
'It's an extra motivation for me. I'm an ambitious guy. I always want to play against the best players in the world to see what is my level,' Alcaraz said. 'Obviously, it's a good test, playing against him in the places that he's almost unbeaten. Yeah, knowing those stats, it's an extra motivation, for sure.'
Djokovic, known for his meticulous routines, continues to rely on familiar habits that have brought him success at Melbourne Park. One such routine includes visiting the Botanical Gardens situated across the Yarra River from the tennis venue. Though he denies being superstitious, Djokovic finds solace in these visits, stating, 'I do obviously like to visit certain places that have brought me luck and make me feel good [...] whether that's a secret of success here in Australia or not, I don't know, but it has definitely made me feel good.'
As tennis enthusiasts eagerly await the start of the Australian Open, all eyes will be on Djokovic as he embarks on his quest to defend his title and add yet another remarkable achievement to his illustrious career.
