AUSTRALIAN OPEN – Djokovic annoyed by doubts about the reality of his thigh injury

Is Novak Djokovic (still) injured in the hamstrings? Brought back to the present, the question can arise after the successful demonstration Monday by the Serb in the round of 16 against Alex De Minaur, at the end of which he declared that he had not felt any pain. On the other hand, the man with 21 Grand Slam titles did not hide a certain annoyance to note that part of the public could doubt the reality of an injury he had. contracted in the semi-finals of his first tournament of the season in Adelaidebut that did not prevent him from winning the final and surviving the first week of the Australian Open.

It’s fun to see how the narrative around me is always different from other players. That said, I’m used to it.

If he has always remained very polite in the face of the international media, “Nole” has let loose more in small groups in the face of Serbian journalists. “Only my injuries are called into question: when the other players are injured, they are victims, whereas when it’s me, supposedly I pretend, he said in Melbourne, in comments relayed by the Tennis Majors site. Let people doubt. I don’t feel the need to prove anything to anyone. And I’m not really interested in what people think. But it’s fun to see how the narrative around me is always different from other players. That said, I’m used to it, it just gives me extra strength and motivation. For that, I thank those who doubt me.”

Djokovic reassuring about his state of health: “I didn’t feel anything today”

Doubts – and Novak knows it well – born from the memory of the 2021 edition of the Australian Open, which Djokovic had won despite an abdominal tear contracted in the 3rd round against Taylor Fritz, a crippling injury most of the time at this level. On this subject, Djokovic had promised the release of a documentary shot “inside” during this edition. But two years later, we are still waiting for it. And not sure that we will see him one day.

I have kept all the medical examinations carried out at the time. Whether I broadcast them in my documentary or on social networks, we’ll see, it will depend on how I feel“, eluded the nine-time winner of the Australian Open, who in any case confirmed that the signals were improving concerning the state of his left thigh, until considering a return to the training courts on Tuesday. .

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