Australian Open: According to Craig Tiley, the director of the tournament, Novak Djokovic played with a hamstring tear measuring three centimetres (1.2 inches) throughout his journey to a record-breaking 10th Australian Open victory.
The Serbian, who sustained the hamstring injury on the way to winning the warm-up championship in Adelaide, felt some pain during his match against Frenchman Enzo Couacaud in the second round, but he was able to recover and proceed without a brace to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.
With his win, Djokovic won his 10th Australian Open championship and tied Nadal for the most Grand Slam victories in men’s history with 22.
“This guy I did see,” Tiley said to SEN Sportsday. Had a three-centimetre rip in his hammy. Undoubtedly, the physicians will be honest with you (I viewed the images).
“There was much debate as to whether it was true or not; it’s incredible that they can perform with those kinds of wounds.
“He is amazing for handling things with such professionalism.”
Goran Ivanisevic, Djokovic’s coach, revealed following the championship that his player battled an injury that would have caused other athletes to retire.
Every minute of the day, he is totally concentrated on everything he does, Tiley continued. “That is what he consumes when he does it, and how he goes about it.
“In anything he accomplishes, there is no breakdown or mental breakdown. He’s been through a lot, and I doubt the feat of winning 10 Australian Opens will ever be matched. He will have a huge impact on Australian Open history.”
Djokovic had already defended himself by claiming that his hamstring strain during the Grand Slam in Melbourne gave him more drive to win the match.
Djokovic added in a statement to Serbian media, “I leave the doubting to those people; let them doubt.
“Only my wounds are in doubt. When other players are hurt, they are the victims; but, when it’s me, I’m just acting. It’s quite fascinating. I don’t think I have anything to prove to anyone.
“I have both the MRI from two years ago and the ultrasound from today, along with everything else. Depending on how I feel, I may use that in my documentary or post it on social media. I might do it, or I might not.
“At this point, what people are saying and thinking doesn’t really interest me. It’s entertaining and intriguing to observe how my story develops; it’s a story that differs from that of other gamers who have encountered comparable challenges.
“But because I’m used to it, it only gives me more vigour and drive. I appreciate them for that.”
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