‘Reasons to be positive’ – Djokovic pays tribute to physio Amanovic

Djokovic has spent a lot of time with his physio in recent weeks and thanked him after his quarter-final against Andrey Rublev

Tennis – Australian Open – Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia – January 25, 2023 Serbia’s Novak Djokovic during a press conference after winning his quarter final match against Russia’s Andrey Rublev (AI/Reuters/Panoramic)

Carrie Dunn

January 26, 2023

With Novak Djokovic recovering from the hamstring injury that has plagued him since the start of the Australian Open, he took time in the Serbian section of his most recent press conference to pay tribute to a key member of his team – physiotherapist Miljan Amanovic.

“Miljan is one of the closest people in my life,” the 35-year-old said. “He has been working a lot these days, always gives his best.

“Considering the circumstances, we spent a lot of time in the car these days, since we are going to three or four different locations for therapy, different machines.

“We are trying to get my body good enough, so that it can last five sets. We have reasons to be positive after the last two matches. I am very grateful to Miljan, it would be a lot harder without him.”

Djokovic had said earlier in the day, to English-speaking reporters: “I feel good on the court, better and better as the tournament progresses. I’ve been in this situation in so many times in my life, in my career, never lost a semifinals in Australian Open. Hopefully that will stay the same.”