Novak Djokovic’s hamstring harm scare continues to hover over his Australian Open tilt after the nine-time champion required therapy all through an exhibition apply match in opposition to Daniil Medvedev.
Djokovic pushed by means of hamstring tightness to say final week’s Adelaide International 1 and agency as favorite for a tenth Melbourne Park title.
He has received 34 consecutive matches in Australia, together with his final defeat a shock fourth-round loss to Korean Hyeon Chung in on the 2018 Australian Open.
But his return to Australia hasn’t all gone easily.
Djokovic suffered left hamstring tightness within the semi-final in South Australia when additionally enjoying Medvedev and required a medical time-out, however recovered to win that sport, then the ultimate.
After beating Sebastian Korda in Sunday’s decider the 35-year-old revealed he’d labored “deep into the night” together with his physio after the semi-final and to shake off the niggle in time for the next day’s ultimate, however was assured it would not have an effect on him on the Open.
But in Wednesday’s apply match with Medvedev at Rod Laver Arena, the primary time Djokovic had performed in entrance of the Melbourne public since final yr’s deportation saga, the harm once more reared its head.
The session was meant to be 75 minutes however Djokovic exited after Medvedev claimed the primary set 6-4 in 36 minutes, having required therapy for the “pulling” on three events.
“It’s a hamstring that I had problems with in Adelaide actually last week,” Djokovic informed the Nine Network in a while Wednesday.
“It was against Medvedev when we played semi-finals and I played again with him in practice, a practice match.
“And I simply felt it a bit, pulling, and I did not need to threat something worse.
“So I played a set and then apologised to him, he was understanding, and so I just want to avoid any kind of bigger scares before Australian Open.”
Djokovic broke the Russian former world No.1 within the opening sport however, when main 3-2, acquired therapy, with a member of his staff finishing some knee extensions.
Knee extensions can be utilized to launch the hamstring.
He solely received yet another sport from that time.
Medvedev received the subsequent two video games and Djokovic once more acquired the identical therapy on the break when trailing 4-3 and once more at 5-4, earlier than pulling the pin when the Russian triumphed a sport later.
Spanish veteran Pablo Andujar stepped in for the star Serb as Medvedev remained on court docket.
Djokovic is supposed to play Nick Kyrgios in one other exhibition match on Friday evening.
The pleasant apply match set was performed in jovial spirits between Medvedev and Djokovic in entrance of a small, well mannered crowd of spectators who paid $20 every to observe.
Djokovic, who refused to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations and prompted an uproar when he arrived in Melbourne final yr earlier than in the end being deported, acquired a fairly heat welcome.
There was no signal of animosity in direction of Djokovic or Medvedev, who lamented his personal therapy from followers in Australia final yr.
