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Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic says he understands why experts have questioned the legitimacy of his mid-tournament injury, but says he has medics to justify it.
The nine-time champion suffered from an abdominal problem in his third round victory over Taylor Fritz, picking up the “tear” at a crucial crossroads as he struggled in the match.
The world No.1 would win the game, but it raised questions about the severity of the disease, given he has won several four-set and five-set matches en route to his final crown at the Open. Australia.
One of the main reasons behind the public’s disbelief was the perception that Djokovic is playing the injuries and using the theaters on the pitch as a distraction when he’s down in a game.
The Serbian’s mysterious wound around his abdomen had been his latest source of contention. And that didn’t improve when he bristled at the media earlier this week when asked about the issue.
“I know what it is,” said Djokovic, freshly beaten Alexander Zverev in four sets, “but I don’t want to talk about it now.”
Speaking in the wake of the Grand Slam crown on Sunday, Djokovic revealed he will take time to heal the abdominal tear, and opened up about the media circus surrounding the injury.
“I wanted to keep things quiet and clear to myself, in terms of talking about the injury or whatever. It’s a muscle tear, it was a muscle tear at the time,” Djokovic told Nine. .
Djokovic wins the war of attrition
“I don’t think I’ve ever experienced that type of snap I had in the third round. I went for an MRI and then the MRI showed a tear. People questioned that, I understand they questioned there was a tear – there is. I can let the doctors and physiotherapist confirm that, but for me it was definitely a huge hurdle and a challenge.
“The good thing was I had a day between each game because it gave me more time to heal. I spent probably 14 hours awake, I spent 10 hours on the table and I did everything I could. And it worked. I owe my physiotherapist a great deal of gratitude. I guess we’re all different you know? Maybe I have a great ability to heal, I managed to one way or another with just the pills and pain relievers In the end it was a great experience for me and I will learn some good lessons.
“It’s not cured. I’ll go for another MRI tomorrow before I go home. But I’ll definitely take a little while, I don’t know how long it’s going to take. If there is a tournament where I want to risk and do my best and take more damage, it’s here, it’s Grand Slam so I can’t be happier to be next to this trophy. “
Unlike his previous eight titles before him, the time of world No.1 Down Under has been in the spotlight with quarantine complaints, injury mind games and a polarized fanbase watching him around every corner.
With the constraints of the tournament behind him, Djokovic has taken the liberty to speak freely about the negative press he has received since landing over a month ago.
“Emotionally it was one of the toughest tournaments I’ve ever had to be honest,” he said.
“With my 40s and a lot of stuff going on in the media. And the letter that I wrote as ideas and recommendations that I received from players was misinterpreted as my demands and list of demands.
“Then the next thing you know in a few days, I’m the persona non grata here in this country. So it was hard to deal with all of that and hurt myself in round three as well. It was a roller coaster. it makes things even sweeter on my part and I will definitely get a lot of good things out of this tournament. “
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