Djokovic 'likes his chances' in Australia
Novak Djokovic declared on Saturday that he "likes his chances" of winning a record-extending 10th Australian Open crown, despite lingering injury worries.
After missing last year's tournament when he was deported over his Covid vaccination stance, the Serbian star is back at Melbourne Park and in sizzling form.
He ended the 2022 season by winning the ATP Finals and began the new year with his 92nd career title at the Adelaide International.
He tweaked a hamstring in Adelaide and is still getting treatment, but insisted he was ready for another two-week campaign to potentially win a record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam.
"I've been struggling with that a bit, to be honest, the last seven days," he said of the injury.
"But it's hopefully not a major concern. So far I've been able to train, compete and play points, practice sets. So that's a positive sign.
"Obviously I'm being a bit more cautious. I'm not going full out on the training sessions, conserving the energy for next week. Hopefully it won't cause an issue for me then."
Seeded four, the 35-year-old faces Spain's Roberto Carballes Baena in round one and said that despite the injury niggle "I like my chances".
"I always like my chances. I train as hard as really anybody out there," he added.
"There's a lot of youngsters now that are very hungry, that want to win. They want to take a scalp off you on the big stadium. I know that.
"But experience of being in these kind of particular circumstances helps I think to have the right approach and do things in a proper way.
"Because I know when I'm healthy and playing my best, on this court (Rod Laver Arena) I have chances really against anybody."
Djokovic was deported from Australia on the eve of the 2022 Grand Slam after a high-profile legal battle.
The move divided opinion in Melbourne, a city that endured some of the longest lockdowns in the world at the height of the pandemic.
But he was warmly welcomed on his return at Adelaide and on Rod Laver Arena on Friday evening in a charity match against Nick Kyrgios.
"I'm very grateful for the kind of energy and reception, love and support," he said, adding that trying to be the best still motivated him as he strives to tie long-time rival Rafael Nadal's Grand Slam haul.
The Spanish great is the top seed and defending champion at Melbourne Park after making the most of Djokovic's absence last year to beat Daniil Medvedev in a five-set thriller.
But Nadal is struggling for form and lost his two opening matches this season at the United Cup.
"That's why I keep on playing professional tennis, competition tennis, because I want to be the best, I want to win the biggest tournaments in the world," said the Serb.
-
How to unblock Xnxx for freePakistan athletes keen to make a markRobin Williams has one last movie coming to the U.S. in 2017从“傻大个”到“气质女”First officially approved Gen IV nuclear reactor in the US breaks groundTrump says he would be 'honored' to meet with Kim Jong我市6大工业产品被列入省重点培育发展战略性新兴产品Bloomberg accidentally created an Alexa Fleshlight and oh my gawdOur galaxy might crash into Andromeda. What would happen to Earth?Colin Kaepernick's noble deeds keep making haters look like bitter fools
下一篇:It's Unnecessary But, AMD Is Basically Lying About CPU Performance
- ·World's first 18650
- ·Any app with human interaction needs a block button, period
- ·Trump says US
- ·Bloomberg accidentally created an Alexa Fleshlight and oh my gawd
- ·Expanded police surveillance will get us “broken windows” on steroids.
- ·Over 1,200 S. Korean separated family members died in Q1: data
- ·Dotard meets Rocket Man
- ·This guy paid an expired meter and left a perfect note for the motorist
- ·Bernie Sanders’ DNC speech sounded like everyone else’s. That’s astonishing.
- ·TikTok hack allows you to swipe hands
- ·Tinder has made major changes to the way users can report sexual abuse and harassment
- ·CIA chief visits island near inter
- ·Best smart home deals this week at Amazon
- ·Microsoft found 44 million accounts using breached passwords
- ·Elon Musk defends his right to be a Twitter troll at 'pedo guy' trial
- ·China censors Olympic gold medalist's defense of China's internet censorship on Instagram
- ·Project 2025 Comstock Act: Trump’s new abortion comment exposed.
- ·Uber's new driver features could mean more destination discrimination
- ·Dotard meets Rocket Man
- ·'Runaways' is Hulu's first Marvel superhero TV show
- ·中山古镇:到苏炳添家乡看“村BA”,来一场说走就走的美食之旅
- ·Labor group declares support for Moon
- ·Trump says US
- ·Liberal presidential candidates woo workers on Labor Day
- ·Abrar Ahmed returns as Pakistan names squad for second Test against Bangladesh
- ·Bloomberg accidentally created an Alexa Fleshlight and oh my gawd
- ·厚植精神文明沃土 培树司法文明新风
- ·三女子溺水 两男子营救
- ·Black History Month Google Doodle celebrates baseball player Toni Stone
- ·Public restroom trash cans to be removed
- ·Blinken condemns Russia
- ·Pakistan athletes keen to make a mark
- ·Google Doc phishing scam spreads like wildfire — here's how to spot it
- ·World's smallest 4G phone has 3
- ·Sinkhole swallows up car, injuring 2 in Seoul
- ·Facebook thinks hiding Instagram likes will get people to post more