Djokovic “pain-free” as he chases record 25th Grand Slam title and 11th trophy at Australian Open
The Serb says he has recovered from the wrist injury that affected him in the United Cup
Zuma / Panoramic
Novak Djokovic says he’s pain-free and ready to go, which is bad news for the rest of the field at this year’s Australian Open.
The 10-time champion is the favourite to triumph in Melbourne once more, with the carrot of a record-setting 25th Grand Slam driving him on as the first slam of the year begins on Sunday.
The 36-year-old Serb needed treatment for a wrist issue during last week’s United Cup but declared himself fully fit and ready to hit the ground running when he begins his campaign on Sunday.
“My wrist is good,” said Djokovic, who plays young Croatian, Dino Prizmic in the first round as the tournament starts on a Sunday for the first time. “I had time from the last match against (Alex) de Minaur in the United Cup to my first match here to recover. I’ve been training well. Practice sessions pain-free so far. It’s good. It’s all looking good. Let’s see how it goes.
“It’s not as bad as some other injuries I had here. 2021 and last year I had worse injuries that I had to deal with. I can’t predict whether it’s going to come back. Once I start playing more matches, stress levels go higher. I don’t know. We have to find out.”
Djokovic says Melbourne is his favourite place
Having won three of the four slams in 2023, and lost in the final of the other, Djokovic is the man to beat once more, even if Carlos Alcaraz, Daniil Medvedev and Jannik Sinner will all fancy their chances.
“It’s no secret that I verbalise my goals and I say clearly that I want to win every slam that I participate and play in,” Djokovic said. “It’s no different this year.
“I’m just hoping I can start the season in a way that I have been starting my seasons, most of my seasons, throughout my career: with a win here in Australia, in Melbourne. My favourite place, no doubt. The court where I’ve done great things and achieved my greatest Grand Slam results.
“I hope that I’m going to be able to, if not play at the level that I did last year, then be very close to that, because that was one of the best tennis levels that I’ve played here in Australia last year.
“Let’s see how it goes. I mean, the season is so long. We have an Olympic year. Grand Slams, Olympics, those are the big goals. I have to see how it goes here and think about everything else when it comes around the corner.”
From his first win in Melbourne in 2008 – his first slam victory – to his most recent in 2023, Djokovic has reigned supreme, in part, he says, because he feels comfortable in the city.
“I’m not superstitious,” he said. “I do obviously like to visit certain places that have brought me luck and make me feel good. For example, botanical gardens just nearby, it’s a wonderful park where I like to spend time and just be by myself in nature, just grounding, hugging trees, climbing trees and stuff. I love to do that. So I’ve done that for, yeah, last 15 years.
“Whether that’s secret of success here in Australia or not, I don’t know, but it has definitely made me feel good.
“I like to obviously have a walk by the beach or jog if I can do that. I’ve been staying in different places. Mostly South Yarra. I like that more than the city because it’s a bit more quiet.
Obviously during the Grand Slams you have lots of challenges, mental, physical, emotional. There’s a lot of activities happening even on the days when you don’t have matches. It’s good to have places where you can just rewind, relax, rejuvenate and kind of gather all the necessary energy for the next day.”
