Novak Djokovic will seek more information on his heavily scrutinised hamstring injury in the coming days but still plans to return to the court in Dubai at the end of February.
Djokovic captured his record-extending 10th Australian Open title on Sunday night, beating Greek star Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5) to also draw level with Rafael Nadal on 22 major championships.
Novak Djokovic celebrates his 10th Australian Open title.Credit:Scott McNaughton
The 35-year-old, who returned to the No.1 ranking on Monday, endured a series of off-court challenges, including his father being embroiled in controversy after being unwittingly pictured with pro-Vladimir Putin activists.
Those distractions, on top of the anxiety of returning to the country he was deported from a year ago for being unvaccinated, sparked an emotional release post-match unlike anything Djokovic had shown before.
“If I really wanted to win the trophy I had to stay strong and not let any outside factors or disturbances distract me on my way to the title,” he said outside Government House on Monday.
“After last year’s events, coming back to Australia, I was curious and a bit more nervous than normal … [with] how people will receive me, what kind of reception I’ll get on the court, off the court.
“Overall, it was a very positive experience. I’m very grateful for that, and, obviously, with an injury scare just a few days before the tournament started I had to deal with that throughout.
“Then [there were] a few other events that really were not necessary for me to deal with, especially the later stages of a grand slam, but I had to accept it, let it go, in a way, and focus on what matters the most, so I managed to do it.
“It has required an enormous amount of energy – I think mentally, emotionally most of all – so that’s why I do feel a little bit deflated at the moment, but, of course, greatly satisfied and happy for the win.”
Novak Djokovic.Credit:Tennis Australia
Critics questioned the severity of Djokovic’s hamstring setback, which he suffered in the Adelaide International semi-finals against Daniil Medvedev barely a week out from the Open.
But he and his team, including coach Goran Ivanisevic, insist he was in legitimate doubt, particularly in the early rounds of the tournament before the injury improved in the second week.
“I’m going to do some medical check-ups in the next few days, then I’ll be able to talk about it a bit more and understand the situation,” Djokovic said. “As it stands today, I am still signed in for the [ATP 500] Dubai tournament, which is in a month’s time [from February 27], and I hope I’ll be able to come back to the courts in several weeks’ time.”
Djokovic confirmed he would return to try and win an 11th title at Melbourne Park, and said his passion for tennis remained strong as he sets about breaking more records.
“I love this sport with all my heart. Just for the sake of holding a tennis racquet and playing with my son, or with my brothers or whoever – I just love tennis,” he said.
“Then, of course, on a more professional side, I am as fierce a competitor as anybody out there. I don’t like to lose … and there’s still a lot of that fire inside of me that is burning of passion for the sport and for competition. I think that’s what allows me to still push myself to the limit, also in the practice sessions, and day in, day out after so many years to go through the same routines repetitively that sometimes is not so interesting.
“But I know that there is always a greater goal and a guiding star, so to say, and this [Australian Open] trophy is one of those guiding stars, and it’s something I always strive to achieve.”
