Djokovic on alert as hamstring injury cramps his AO style

Novak Djokovic is  tiptoeing through his training sessions at the Australian Open as a hamstring injury cramps the style of the nine-time Melbourne champion.

The Serb who has shaken up his physio team confessed to worries about his injury as he heads into a second-round match against No. 191 Enzo Couacaud of France.

Djokovic is taking heart from his 2021 title victory here, which he earned while playing with a torn abdominal muscle.

“Well, the situation is similar to the one two years ago here. When you do not have a lot of recovery time, you need to do everything in your power to be prepared – that means less practice and more rest.”

The 35-year-old said his training sessions have been staged at half-strength this week.

“I was maybe at 50 per cent. In the warm-up ahead of the match, I tried to go harder and it was all right – not ideal, but all right.

“Let’s see what happens when the effect of medications and anti-inflammatory pills vanishes.”

He warned: “There is probably going to be a big inflammation.”

But the 21-time Grand Slam winner has found a silver lining to his worries.

“”One day of rest between the matches at Slams gives me the possibility to regenerate, and the experience from two years ago helps me a lot.

“My leg felt better in the third set (of his first-round win) – it is usually the other way around if the injury is worsening.“

Bill Scott

Recent Posts

Davis Cup Final to mark Nadal goodbye to tennis

Rafael Nadal will bring down the curtain on his career next month as he plays his…

3 weeks ago

Wimbledon lowers the boom on human linecalling

Wimbledon on Wednesday brought an end to human linecalling at the most traditional of the…

3 weeks ago

Djokovic rolls Cobolli as Shanghai fights to restore order

Novak Djokovic returned to action after waiting tow days to play as the rain-hit Shanghai…

4 weeks ago

Innocent umpiring error screws Stan in Shanghai

Stan Wawrinka may have been inadvertently short-changed during Monday's third-round loss at the Shanghai Masters…

4 weeks ago

Sinner sweeps Fritz to win US Open

Jannik Sinner schooled Taylor Fritz 6-3, 6-4, 7-6 to win his second Grand Slam title…

2 months ago

Sabalenka wins Open title for Grand Slam hat-trick

Aryana Sabalenka completed a Grand Slam title hat-trick on Saturday as she fought from 5-3…

2 months ago