Novak Djokovic is confident the wrist issue that hampered him during a straight sets defeat to Alex de Minaur at the United Cup won’t affect him at the Australian Open. The Serbian admitted he “can’t predict” if it’s going to come back but said it feels “good” ahead of his first round match against Dino Prizmic. You can watch all the action from Melbourne live on Eurosport and discovery+.
Novak Djokovic has provided an update on the wrist issue he struggled with at the United Cup ahead of his Australian Open defence.
The 36-year-old is going for a record-extending 11th title in Melbourne but sparked concern when he lost in straight sets to Alex de Minaur while playing for Serbia at the start of the year.
Novak Djokovic was visibly bothered by his wrist during the defeat but was confident it wouldn’t hamper him as he addressed the media on the eve of the year’s opening Grand Slam.
“My wrist is good,” he said. “I had time from the last match against 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 all looking good. Let’s see how it goes.”
He added: “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 has achieved just about everything there is to achieve in his career to date but remains as ambitious as ever.
Now 36, he is the last member of the ‘Big Three’ still competing at the highest level and won three of four Grand Slams last year.
One thing that has so far eluded him, however, is the Golden Slam. He has come close, winning three of the sport’s four marquee events in 2011, 2015, 2021 and 2023, and made no secret of his desire to complete the clean sweep in 2024, while the carrot of Olympic glory is also dangling tantalisingly.
“It’s no secret that I verbalise my goals and I say clearly that I want to win every slam that I play in,” Djokovic added. “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 ever played, here in Australia last year.
“The season is so long. 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.”
Djokovic begins his quest for a 25th Grand Slam against qualifier Dino Prizmic on day one inside the iconic Rod Laver Arena.
