Djokovic plays down injury concerns: 'I think I'll be okay'

Novak Djokovic suffered his first defeat on Australian soil since 2018 on Wednesday when he lost to Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur at the United Cup in Perth.

The Serbian struggled with a wrist injury throughout the match and was unable to find his best level in the RAC Arena. However, the World No. 1 in the Pepperstone ATP Rankings is not overly concerned with where his game and body are at, 11 days before the start of the Australian Open.

“I knew that probably, [I am] not going to be at 100 per cent physically, emotionally, mentally game-wise in the opening week of a season. Neither did I expect that,” Djokovic said in his post-match press conference. “I was not on my level, but it was just one of these days where I didn't feel my best on the court, and [my] opponent played very well. That's all I can say.

“I think I'll be okay, to be honest,” Djokovic added when asked about his wrist. “It did have quite an impact, particularly on the forehand and serve. I have plenty of time, I think enough time to get myself in the right shape for the Australian Open.”

Djokovic received treatment by the physio and Serbian captain Viktor Troicki during the match. He was unable to turn the tables on de Minaur, though, with the Australian improving to 1-1 in the pair's Lexus ATP Head2Head series.

Djokovic’s defeat, coupled with Natalija Stevanovic’s loss to Ajla Tomljanovic, means Serbia is out of the United Cup at the quarter-final stage. Djokovic will now turn his attention to the Australian Open, a major he has won a record 10 times.

“[I will] just try to recover, with the wrist that I have been struggling with the last couple of days,” Djokovic said. “Just following the routine of recovery and training and building the form for the Australian Open.

“The process is not strange to me. It's not unusual. I've been in this kind of situation so many times and I know what I need to do along with my team to get myself ready.

“The last two years I've been injured just before the Australian Open, and managed to win both Australian Opens. Sorry, the last two out of three years, 2021 and '23. I hope that I will not be injured this time around. That's what we're going to work on, to get my body in the right shape, optimal state, so that I can perform at the high level throughout hopefully the entire Australian Open.”

Djokovic earned singles victories against Zhang Zhizhen and Jiri Lehecka at the United Cup, helping Serbia reach the quarter-finals at the 18-country mixed-teams event. The 36-year-old is pleased to have started the season by representing his country.

“This kind of atmosphere is really unique,” Djokovic said. “Being in a team with both men and women tennis players from your country is something you don't get to experience either playing Davis Cup or Billie Jean King Cup for women. So, this is probably the only competition where you can experience that mix, which is an official competition where you get points.

“It's quite interesting. It's nice to be able to represent your country, always an honour, and to share the locker room with others… I did enjoy it. I think it was a really good, cool atmosphere. We had fun and those kinds of memories stay with you forever.”