Novak Djokovic cuts Australian Open apply match brief as he battles hamstring damage

Novak Djokovic’s hamstring damage scare continues to hover over his Australian Open tilt after the nine-time champion required therapy on his left leg all through an exhibition apply match towards Daniil Medvedev.Key factors:Djokovic reduce the apply match brief after aggravating a hamstring damage Djokovic sustained the damage throughout his Adelaide Worldwide 1 victoryThe Serbian is predicted to assert his tenth Australian Open finalDjokovic pushed by means of hamstring tightness to assert final week’s Adelaide Worldwide 1 and agency as favorite for a tenth Melbourne Park title.He tweaked his left hamstring within the semifinal in South Australia when additionally enjoying Medvedev and required a medical timeout, however he recovered to win that sport, then the ultimate.Wednesday’s apply match with Medvedev at Rod Laver Area was the primary time Djokovic had performed in entrance of the Melbourne public since final yr’s deportation saga.The session was meant to be 75 minutes however Djokovic exited after Medvedev claimed the primary set 6-4 in 36 minutes.He broke the Russian former world No.1 within the opening sport however, when main 3-2, acquired therapy, with a member of his crew finishing some knee extensions.Knee extensions can be utilized to launch the hamstring.He solely gained another sport from that time.Medvedev gained the following two video games and Djokovic once more acquired the identical therapy on the break when trailing 4-3 and once more at 5-4, earlier than pulling the pin when the Russian triumphed a sport later.Spanish veteran Pablo Andújar stepped in for the star Serb as Medvedev remained on court docket.Djokovic is supposed to play Nick Kyrgios in one other exhibition match on Friday evening.The pleasant apply match set was performed in jovial spirits between Medvedev and Djokovic in entrance of a small, well mannered crowd of spectators who paid $20 every for the prospect.Djokovic, who refused to obtain COVID-19 vaccinations and prompted an uproar when he arrived in Melbourne final yr earlier than in the end being deported, acquired a fairly heat welcome.There was no signal of animosity in the direction of Djokovic or Medvedev, who lamented his personal therapy from followers in Australia final yr.AAP