Novak Djokovic felt the love from everybody he encountered in Adelaide, even the kangaroos, and heads to the Australian Open with “no grudges” assured there might be no hangover from his deportation drama final yr.
After triumphing on the Adelaide International on Sunday Djokovic couldn’t lock within the forecast observe classes with Nick Kyrgios at Melbourne Park declaring he solely wants “fine-tuning” forward of his tilt at a tenth Aussie Open.
The former world No.1, who was booted out of Melbourne final January due to his vaccination standing, mentioned he’s feeling as pleased mentally as he’s bodily along with his win in Adelaide placing his rivals on discover.
“Five great matches. I couldn’t ask for a better preparation and lead-up to Australian Open,” Djokovic mentioned.
“I love playing in Australia. I mean, my results are a testament to that. I wouldn’t be able to play so well in a place where I don‘t feel well.
“I have a week off for recovery now and working on specific things in terms of my game, my body, getting my mind in the right state for the best-of-five and two long weeks hopefully.”
“I‘m pleased with the way I am playing, way I’m feeling. Now it‘s really fine-tuning, just adapting to the conditions. They‘re slightly different in Melbourne. Just taking it easy because I’ve had a lot of intensity this week.”
More ominously, Djokovic declared the shape he confirmed in Adelaide, even recovering from dropping the primary set within the closing, was a show of what he’ll be succesful in Melbourne.
“Statistically I’ve been lucky to win more of these kind of matches. Of course, the more you win these particular matches, the better you feel. I think it gets to the head of your opponents more, as well,” he mentioned.
“That‘s what I want. I want them to know that regardless of the scoreline, I‘m always there, I’m always fighting till the last shot, and I‘m able to turn things around.
“Of course, going into the court with anybody knowing that they know as well what I‘m capable of is, of course, advantage.
Djokovic was confident spectators in Melbourne would embrace him as they did in Adelaide, where he enjoyed significant interactions beyond the court, despite the acrimony over still refusing to be vaccinated against Covid-19.
“I don‘t hold any grudges. I told you I had far many more positive experiences in Australia to throw that away just because of what happened last year,” he mentioned.
“I feel very comfortable with people, normal people, that follow sport, that I encounter on an everyday basis. I haven’t had any negative experience so far. So every person that I met, whether it’s in the city or in the woods, I actually met few kangaroos, as well, had a chat with them, everyone was very kind, very supportive.
“So there is no reason for me to feel differently than what I‘m receiving from them.”
