Novak Djokovic has been warned he could be “too prepared” for the Australian Open after skipping his final practice session in Melbourne.
The Serbian star, a nine-time winner of the tournament, sparked fears of a possible withdrawal last week when he left court earlier than planned during a practice match with Daniil Medvedev, citing a hamstring issue. However, on Friday he faced Nick Kyrgios in an exhibition on the Rod Laver Arena, seemingly coming through unscathed.
It follows an intense period of tennis for the 35-year-old since he was banned from competing in the US Open in September, amid his ongoing refusal to be vaccinated against Covid-19. And despite being considered the favourite by many fans and pundits at Albert Park, fellow icon Mat Wilander has sounded caution.
“I’d be very surprised if he doesn’t win, on the other hand, he said himself if he is healthy and able to play, but he skipped a practice session today,” he told Eurosport. “He’s 35 years old, he was stretching his left leg in Adelaide in both the semis and the final, I can’t believe he played and won there, but that’s Novak Djokovic.
“So why doesn’t he win? Because physically, he might be too prepared. He wasn’t allowed to play the US Open, and then he played in Tel Aviv, Kazakhstan, made the finals in Paris, won the ATP Finals, played in Adelaide.”
And Wilander contrasted Djokovic’s situation to that of defending champion Rafael Nadal, whose form has been scratchy in the build-up to the first Slam of the year: “Compared to Rafa [Nadal], Novak comes in playing his absolute best tennis, maybe in years, or at least as good as it’s ever been, ” he added. “That’s not always the best place to be when you start a Slam. You want to start off slowly and grow every round.”
Djokovic will undoubtedly feel he has unfinished business down under, following the explosive visa saga that saw him deported home the day before the tournament began last year. He was duly handed a three year ban and was set to be absent again this time around.
However, in November, that sanction was revoked. It means victory for him this month will see him tie level with Nadal’s record of 22 Slam titles – and the pair cannot meet each other any earlier than the final.
Djokovic opens his campaign against Spaniard Roberto Carballes Baena on Tuesday. Nadal’s place in round two is already secure, but he was made to work to beat Jack Draper in four sets.
