Djokovic : “I have to accept that my body will probably betray me more often”
The 37-year-old had to pull out of the Australian Open after one set of his semi-final because of a hamstring injury
Julien Nouet / Tennis Majors
Following his retirement against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic expressed particular regret about the injury, noting that he had been “feeling the ball nicely.” However, he also acknowledged the reality that injuries are becoming more frequent as he ages.
Djokovic, who will turn 38 this May, was forced to withdraw before his Roland Garros quarter-final match last year due to a torn medial meniscus. In Melbourne, he injured his hamstring during his quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz and ultimately retired from his semi-final match against Zverev, trailing 7-6 in the first set.
“This is probably the new reality I have to accept—that my body will probably betray me more often than it has throughout my entire career,” he said, in the Serbian portion of his press conference.
“How much I’ll be able to put up with that and endure that, I honestly don’t know now. Let’s see what happens this season. Here in Melbourne, it could have been better, but it could have been worse. I’m still a bit hot-headed, but there are certainly a lot of positives to take away from this tournament.”
“I really felt the ball well”
Djokovic was also asked where he feels his most realistic chance of securing his 25th Grand Slam title might lie.
“I don’t know what to say,” he said. “I am satisfied with the way I played at this tournament, but the most important thing is for my body to hold up. I felt like I was improving as the tournament progressed, and that’s what disappoints me the most—I really felt the ball well. But it is what it is; this is part of professional sports.
Djokovic has already confirmed he will miss the Davis Cup next weekend, and he admitted that his participation in Doha remains uncertain.
