Australian Open favourite Novak Djokovic continues to pose questions as to whether he'll be fully fit for the tournament amid fears due to an ongoing hamstring injury.
The 35-year-old was seen receiving treatment on his left leg throughout an exhibition match against Russia's Daniil Medvedev. Djokovic is also set to face Nick Kyrgios in another exhibition contest—three days before the first major of 2023 gets underway—causing a panic among his legions of supporters.
Nine-time champion Djokovic remains the frontrunner to collect a record-extending 10th title in Melbourne later this month. Medvedev—runner-up in each of the last two Australian Opens—is a clear second in the stakes, followed by the likes of Rafael Nadal and Stefanos Tsitsipas after top seed Carlos Alcaraz withdrew due to injury.
And the tennis world is on edge regarding Djokovic's participation, with his comeback billed as the start of a revenge tour. The Serb was infamously deported from Australia last year following a court battle over his Covid vaccination status, but he's since been cleared for a dramatic return.
Djokovic improved his odds after coming from behind to beat American Sebastian Korda and win the Adelaide International 1 as a warm-up for Melbourne's main stage. The veteran dropped one set across five matches throughout the ATP Tour 250 event and notched a conclusive win over Medvedev along the way.
It was during that clash against Medvedev that Djokovic's hamstring complaint is believed to have begun. "There were a few times in the match I felt was tightening up, the muscle," he told reporters following his win over Korda. "But nothing that would worry me for my performance."
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But the issue appeared to still be troubling 'Nole' during Wednesday's practice with Medvedev, where his physio repeatedly massaged and stretched the problem area. Djokovic stayed for less than half of the allotted 75-minute slot and exited after it took him 36 minutes to lose the first set 6-4.
"I just want to avoid any bigger scares before the Australian Open," he later told 9News Melbourne. "I just felt it pulling and I didn't want to risk anything worse. . .I played a set and apologised to [Medvedev] and he was understanding."
Djokovic appears to have received a mostly warm welcome from fans in Australia thus far despite last year's controversy, but Tennis Australia chief Craig Tiley has warned fans will be booted out for sledging the star. "If they disrupt the enjoyment of anyone else - boom, they are out," he told the Herald Sun. "We don't want them on site. They can stay away or we will kick them out."
