Serbia’s legendary tennis star Novak Djokovic has stated that he is expecting to be ‘okay’ in the Australian Open despite facing some wrist struggles in the United Cup.
The 36-year-old suffered a surprising defeat to Australia’s Alex de Minaur in the quarterfinal of the competition in straight sets with a score of 6-4, 6-4. During the match, Djokovic had to take a medical timeout after having some pain in his wrist.
However, the current world number one was quoted in a report where he stated that expects to be ‘okay’ to defend his title in the first Grand Slam of the year which is set to start in less than two weeks’ time.
43 - With his win over Jiri Lehecka in Perth, Novak Djokovic has claimed his 43rd consecutive ATP match victory in Australia, with his last defeat coming against Chung Hyeon in 2018 - Australian Open R16. Comfy. #UnitedCup | @UnitedCupTennis @DjokerNole @atptour
“I think I'll be okay, to be honest,” said the 24-time Grand Slam winner. “But, you know, it did have quite an impact, you know, particularly in the forehand and serve. But again, I don't want to be spending too much time talking about it and taking away credit for the victory from De Minaur.
“I mean, he was just very solid, as he always is, and congrats to him [and] to the Australian team. And, you know, it is what it is for us. I guess we move on and for me with my thoughts in Melbourne.”
“No, [it won’t have] not much [of an impact], to be honest," he said. I knew that I'm probably not going to be at my 100% physically, emotionally, mentally, game-wise, in the opening week of the season. Neither did I expect that. Neither did I want that, to be honest.
“It's all part of the build-up for the Australian Open, you know, so that's where I want to perform at my best. And so again, you know, it's never nice to lose a match, of course, but, you know, it's not really going to stay with me much."
