SteemSports Presenter:@rickie
SteemSports Editor:@scottybuckets
In thrilling news for fans of the former world number one Novak Djokovic; the 30-year-old Serb has signaled his intention of featuring at this year’s Australian Open Grand Slam, after just returning back to competitive tennis following a six months injury lay-off. In his words Djokovic said he intends to play in the Australian Open “for now”. An elbow injury has kept the once-unstoppable Serb from court action since the Wimbledon Grand Slam of 2017.
On his return to a first competitive action against 25-year-old Dominic Thiem, at the Kooyong Classic, Djokovic won 6-1 6-4 against the world number five. Expressing satisfaction after the match, Djokovic said he “was very happy with how it went” signaling his intent on starting the year in a great fashion by participating in the first Grand Slam of the year.
Speaking after the match when asked about the Australian Open, which commences next week, January 15th, Djokovic said: "For now, I'm in the tournament."
Following his long absence from the courts since 2017, Djokovic dropped in ranking to number 14 in the ITTF world ranking. If the 12-time Grand Slam champion eventually features in the Australian Open, he will be competing to win a record seventh Australian Open title; having won it five times in a six year period, until 2016.
However, he stated that there are fitness concerns still surrounding his potential participation considering he last played in July 2017 at Wimbledon Open where he retired from the quarter-final. Just last week Djokovic pulled out of a warm-up tournament in Abu Dhabi due to lingering problems with his right elbow. However, in the Kooyong Classic, while wearing a sleeve, he easily overcame a Dominic Thiem who was playing four days after recovering from a virus and only after arriving in Melbourne on Monday night. Dominic Theim said after the match that "I'm free of fever and healthy again. I'm still jet-lagged and was slow at the beginning of the match but I'll be fine for the Open".
The Australian Open which commences next week will witness the absence of notable tennis stars like Serena Williams, Victoria Azarenka and Andy Murray who have all confirmed their withdrawal from the tourney already. Swiss number two Stan Wawrinka remains a doubt as he battles injury setbacks in a bid to be fit before next week.
Do you think Novak Djokovic can claim a seventh Australian Open title after only returning from injury? Kindly share your thoughts in the comments section below.
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Novak could play as long as federer or even longer but he needs to overcome these niggling injuries, injuries may hinder him from achieving greatness.
Novak has had a really hectic time for the past couple of months with injuries. I hope he returns to fitness very soon, on his day he is unplayable, that is why he has so many grand slam titles.
i like novak djokovic is a very good player....
i support him
thanks for sharing this post
Yea, i like him a lot too. I am a big fan of Djokovic. Thanks for reading @beautybox
he is a good player.. i like him to much...
Yea, same here @rasel786
Go Nole! We believe in you! 🇷🇸
Yea i hope he gets back to his best @mightymicke. Although, it would be tough for him at the Australian Open should be feature in it. He doesn't look very fit, just yet.
Interesting post..
i love tennis but i can't play ;)
Lolz......welcome to the club @promisenyah
This sport I like ..Thanks dear post my sport ..I will waite your next post..
Thanks for reading @mousumimou
Welcome dear
novak does not have the same level again
You might have a point @manolo92. At 30, and given his persistent injury, i fear he might struggle to reach the number one spot again.