The Australian Open has officially started. Novak Djokovic easily beat Carballes Baena in three sets. The Serbian star is considered by experts as the main favorite to lift the trophy on Sunday, January 30. For him it would be the 10th “Happy Slam” title, the 22nd overall in a stellar career.
The absences of Carlos Alcaraz and Nick Kyrgios, both retired before the start of the tournament, and the premature abandonment of players like Rafael Nadal and Matteo Berrettini make things easier on paper for Belgrade, who still has a long way to go.
Djokovic is in a phenomenal psychophysical state, the result of five victories in the last six tournaments played. These are his impressions after yesterday’s game: “I guess the more you win on a certain court, the more confident and comfortable you feel every time you step on it…
I have been lucky enough to win many games on this court, especially in night sessions. If I had to pick a track and conditions, it would be a night session at Rod Laver Arena, all night,” he told the press conference. Djokovic’s next rival will be Frenchman Enzo Couacaud, who easily beat Bolivian Hugo Dellien.
A not impossible task for the Balkan champion, who despite some physical problems in the phases prior to the start of the tournament, offered a very solid test against the Iberian player, giving, if necessary, a clear message to his opponents.
Amazed by the match played by the former number one was Eurosport commentator Barbara Schett, who commented on his exploits live: “I think it’s the way forward for Novak Djokovic, but how young does he look on the pitch today? No He is 35 years old, surely something is wrong with his passport, his birth certificate is wrong!”
Djokovic reflects on his hamstring injury
Novak Djokovic fears that his hamstring injury could derail his 2023 Australian Open campaign.
“I am worried. I mean, I cannot say that I’m not. I have reason to be worried,” Novak Djokovic said. “But at the same time I have to accept the circumstances and try to adjust myself with my team. My physio and medical team has been doing everything possible so that I can be able to play every match,” he said.
“There’s not much more to talk about. There’s two choices: leave it or keep going. So I’m going to keep going. I’m going to try to play and compete with, of course, a great player Dimitrov in a couple days’ time,” he added.
