Novak Djokovic shakes off injury fears with a SHUFFLE as tennis superstar puts on a show in exhibition match with Nick Kyrgios ahead of the Australian Open
- Novak Djokovic dispelled doubts about his fitness before the Australian Open
- The Serbian pulled out of a training session due to an issue with his hamstring
- However, he returned to the court on Friday for an exhibition match
- The tennis superstar took on Aussie star Nick Kyrgios in Melbourne
Novak Djokovic dispelled any doubts about his fitness after putting on his dancing shoes during an entertaining exhibition match with Nick Kyrgios.
Djokovic, 35, sparked concerns among tennis fans after ending a practice session earlier this week, with his trainer seen attending to a hamstring issue in Melbourne.
The Serb is aiming to win his 10th Australian Open title this year and it appears that the fitness concern will not hinder his bid to reach that milestone.
Novak Djokovic put on a show as he returned to Melbourne for an exhibition match
The 35-year-old had sparked injury concerns amid reports of a problematic left hamstring
However, the Serbian appeared to dispel any doubts with an entertaining performance
Djokovic stepped out on Rod Laver Arena on Friday and was seen wearing tape on his left leg, but that didn’t stop him putting on a show in a fun exhibition match with Australian star Kyrgios.
Kyrgios’s fitness status has also been in question, with the 27-year-old pulling out of the United Cup and Adelaide International, both key warm up tournaments ahead of the first grand slam of the year.
Reports had suggested that he has been struggling with an ankle knock, but the Australian appeared to move freely in a two-set match which was drawn.
Djokovic took on Australian superstar Nick Kyrgios in a two-set exhibition match
All of the cut-price tickets for the exhibition, costing $20 (approximately £11), sold out within an hour of going on sale and any fears Djokovic may have had about the reception he would receive following last year’s deportation would have dissipated when he saw the number of Serbian flags in the crowd.
Speaking after walking on court, the nine-time champion said: ‘I’m very happy. Thank you so much. I feel a bit emotional. I was looking forward to coming back to this court.’
Djokovic and Kyrgios both wore microphones and played to the crowd, who lapped up their antics.
Kyrgios pulled out of two warm up events but seemed in good shape ahead of the grand slam
Speaking afterwards, Djokovic said: ‘It just feels great to be back in Australia, back in Melbourne. This is the court where I created the best memories of my tennis career.’
Kyrgios was one of the few players to stand up for Djokovic last year in the row over his vaccination status, thawing what had been a frosty relationship.
‘It’s just so important to have him around,’ said Kyrgios. ‘I don’t think we knew how special these guys are to our sport.’
Both men, who could meet on the same court in the quarter-finals, begin their campaigns on Tuesday, Djokovic against Roberto Carballes Baena while Kyrgios takes on Roman Safiullin.