By Tim Parsons-
Novak Djokovic played with a three-centimetre (1.2 inches) tear in his hamstring during his run to a record-extending 10th Australian Open title, tournament director Craig Tiley.
The world class tennis ace, who suffered the hamstring injury en route to winning the warm-up title in Adelaide, was in discomfort during his second-round match against Frenchman Enzo Couacaud but managed to recover before going strapping-free to beat Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final.
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Djokovic’s (Pictured)victory earned him a 10th Australian Open title and drew him level with Nadal at the top of the all-time men’s standings on 22 Grand Slam titles.
The Serbian tennis star beat Greek player Stefanos Tsitsipas in three sets in the final in Melbourne on Sunday.
Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic said after the final that he battled the injury, which would have forced most players to quit.
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It was a remarkable victory for Djokavic, who first faced adversity after he was deported from Australia during when he entered the country hoping to take part in its annual Australian open tennis tournament.
The Australia’s Ministry of Justice successfully lodged an application to the courts that saw Novak on a plane back to Serbia, with his critics and supporters equally vocal about his fate.
Many voiced their opinions criticising the Serb for his stance on covid vaccines, while many came to his support, praising him for strength to follow his convictions.
Djokavic’s convictions were deemed selfish by a large fraction of those who had lost loved ones during the pandemic, and others who simply felt the tennis star was being selfish and inconsiderate.
Opinions have remained divided ever since, the only certainty being his ability to showcase his talents and ability to dominate his rivals in the sport.
He endured criticism after criticism over his controversial covid vaccination stance, and was refused entry to participate in the U.S opens last year over the country’s strict and covid vaccination policy, pulling an outstanding victory without being in perfection physical condition as expected for a game of that magnitude.
Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic said the star battled an injury which would have forced most players to quit.
“He’s so focused on everything he does, with every single minute of the day,” Tiley added. “That’s what he eats, what he drinks, when he does it, how he does it.
“There’s no breakdown or mental breakdown in anything that he does. He’s been through a lot and to win 10 Australian Opens, I don’t think that’s ever going to be repeated. He’ll hold a significant place in the history of the Australian Open.”
Djokovic has previously hit back at critics accusing him of “faking” his hamstring injury during the Grand Slam in Melbourne by saying it added to his motivation to win the title.
Speaking to Serbian media, Djokovic said: “I leave the doubting to those people – let them doubt.
“Only my injuries are questioned. When some other players are injured, then they are the victims, but when it is me, I am faking it. It is very interesting. I don’t feel that I need to prove anything to anyone.
“I have got the MRI, ultrasound and everything else, both from two years ago and now. Whether I will publish that in my documentary or on social media depends on how I feel. Maybe I will do it, maybe I won’t.
“I am not really interested at this point what people are thinking and saying. It is fun, it is interesting to see how the narrative surrounding me continues, a narrative that is different compared to other players that have been going through similar situations.
“But I am used to it and it just gives me extra strength and motivation. So I thank them for that.”
Djokovic’s coach Goran Ivanisevic said after the final that he battled the injury, which would have forced most players to quit.
Djokavic first faced adversity after he was deported from Australia during when he entered the country hoping to take part in its annual Australian open tennis tournament.
Australia’s Ministry of Justice successfully lodged an application to the courts overturning a previous ruling that had permitted the serbian to stay in the country.
This time Australian minister, Alex Hawke’s appeal was successful, and saw Novak on a plane back to Serbia, with his critics and supporters equally vocal about his fate.
Many voiced their opinions criticising the Serb for his stance on covid vaccines, while many came to his support, praising him for strength to follow his convictions.
Djokavic’s convictions were deemed selfish by a large fraction of those who had lost loved ones during the pandemic, and others who simply felt the tennis star was being selfish and inconsiderate.
Opinions have remained divided ever since, the only certainty being his ability to showcase his talents and ability to dominate his rivals in the sport.
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