Novak Djokovic's coach provides big injury update ahead of Australian Open
Novak Djokovic's coach Goran Ivanisevic has spoken out regarding the Serb's wrist injury before the Australian Open.
Novak Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic is confident that the 24-time Grand Slam champion will be ready for the Australian Open, despite an ongoing wrist injury. The Serb required medical attention during his United Cup defeat to home favourite Alex de Minaur, prompting questions over his participation at the upcoming Major.
Djokovic fell to a 6-4 6-4 loss against De Minaur and with the Australian Open less than two weeks away, there are concerns that the 36-year-old will not be completely healthy to defend his title.
However, Ivanisevic has insisted that the wrist injury is “not a big deal” and following disappointing results in Perth, Djokovic will take a few days off from playing to ensure that he is ready for his Grand Slam opener on January 14.
"I think Alex (de Minaur) played very well, intelligently from a tactical point of view,” Ivanisevic told Serbian broadcaster B92. “There is a problem with Novak's wrist, but the most important thing is that he will be ready in 10 or 11 days.
“We will take a few days of rest and then start training slowly. It is not a big deal. We came here to play a few matches, and he did. He played three good matches. Maybe yesterday wasn't the case. It wasn't a good match from a results point of view, but it was definitely good preparation, and that's what he needed.”
Djokovic’s 43-match winning run on Australian soil came to an end against De Minaur as he needed to have his wrist iced throughout the contest. He later attempted to call the physio over to receive further treatment, but his request was denied as he had not suffered a new injury in the match.
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After his defeat, Djokovic allayed fears that his wrist injury would continue to plague him at the Australian Open, similar to Ivanisevic as the pair are not worried about it hampering preparation or causing further problems in Melbourne.
“I knew that probably [I was] not going to be at 100 per cent physically, emotionally, mentally game-wise in the opening week of a season,” Djokovic explained. “Neither did I expect that. I was not on my level, but it was just one of these days where I didn’t feel my best on the court and [my] opponent played very well.
“I think I’ll be okay, to be honest. [The wrist injury] did have quite an impact, particularly on the forehand and serve. I have plenty of time, I think enough time to get myself in the right shape for the Australian Open.”