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Novak Djokovic is optimistic his wrist issues are behind him as he prepares to start out his bid for an eleventh Australian Open title.
The world primary was hampered by a proper wrist situation throughout an uncharacteristic loss to Alex De Minaur taking part in for Serbia on the United Cup earlier this month.
However he has been practising this week at Melbourne Park, and stated forward of a first-round conflict with Croatian teenager Dino Prizmic on Sunday: “My wrist is nice.
“I had time from the final match in opposition to De Minaur within the United Cup to my first match right here to recuperate. I’ve been coaching properly. Observe classes pain-free thus far. It’s all trying good. Let’s see the way it goes.”
Djokovic isn’t any stranger to accidents in Melbourne, with an belly downside virtually derailing him in 2021, whereas he performed via final 12 months’s event with a hamstring situation.
He nonetheless gained the title on each events, and he stated of the wrist: “It’s not as dangerous as another accidents I had right here – 2021 and final 12 months I had worse accidents that I needed to take care of.
“I can’t predict whether or not it’s going to return again. As soon as I begin taking part in extra matches, stress ranges go greater. I don’t know. We now have to search out out.”
Grand slams, Olympics, these are the large targets
Novak Djokovic
At 36, Djokovic stays as dominant as ever, falling just one match in need of a calendar Grand Slam in 2023.
This 12 months as soon as once more presents the prospect for a Golden Slam, with a primary Olympic gold medal in Paris an apparent goal, whereas one other victory in Melbourne would make him the primary participant ever to win 25 slam singles titles.
“It’s no secret that I verbalise my targets and I say clearly that I wish to win each slam that I play in,” stated the Serbian.
“It’s no completely different this 12 months. I’m simply hoping I can begin the season in a approach that I’ve been beginning my seasons, most of my seasons, all through my profession: with a win right here in Australia, in Melbourne.
“My favorite place, little doubt. The court docket the place I’ve achieved nice issues and achieved my biggest grand slam outcomes.
“I hope that I’m going to have the ability to, if not play on the stage that I did final 12 months, then be very near that, as a result of that was probably the greatest tennis ranges that I’ve ever performed, right here in Australia final 12 months.
“The season is so lengthy. Grand slams, Olympics, these are the large targets. I’ve to see the way it goes right here and take into consideration every thing else when it comes across the nook.”
Djokovic continues to carry again the following technology single-handed, with solely Carlos Alcaraz managing to get the higher of him on the slams final 12 months in a superb Wimbledon ultimate.
The Spaniard, who missed final 12 months’s Australian Open with a leg harm, leads Djokovic’s seemingly challengers together with fellow younger gun Jannik Sinner.
Alcaraz is already eyeing a possible ultimate battle in opposition to Djokovic, saying: “It’s an additional motivation for me. I’m an bold man. Clearly it’s check, taking part in in opposition to him within the locations or within the event that he’s virtually unbeaten.
“I’m on the lookout for reaching the ultimate and hopefully taking part in a ultimate in opposition to him. It will be nice, clearly.”
Alcaraz must do it, although, with out his long-time coach Juan Carlos Ferrero, who’s again dwelling in Spain recuperating from knee surgical procedure.
Alcaraz, who performs veteran Richard Gasquet in spherical one, is being guided right here by Ferrero’s former coach Samuel Lopez, and he stated: “It’s powerful not being with him. Clearly he travels to virtually 100 per cent of the tournaments. It’s going to be tough to strategy a giant event with out him.
“I’ve Sam with me that could be a nice coach as properly. I belief him. I consider in him. Juan Carlos as properly. I feel I can be taught loads from him.”