Novak Djokovic said he worked with his physiotherapist all night to fix a hamstring issue before the Serbian beat Sebastian Korda in the Adelaide International 1 final on Sunday ahead of this month’s Australian Open.
Djokovic underwent treatment on his left leg during Saturday’s semi-final victory over Daniil Medvedev after he hyper-extended his left hamstring while stretching to make a forehand.
But the 35-year-old moved freely on the court in Sunday’s final before he dug deep to save a match point and seal a 6-7(8), 7-6(3), 6-4 victory.
“I woke up all right. Went deep into the night last night with work done with the physio,” Djokovic told reporters. “Talk with the doctors, as well, of the tournament, etc.
“There was a lot of care going into today’s match about the hamstring. It was all right.
“Few times in the match I felt was tightening up the muscle, but nothing that would worry me for my performance.”
At the January 16-29 Australian Open, Djokovic will be bidding for a record-extending 10th title to draw level with Rafael Nadal on 22 grand slam crowns.
“I couldn’t ask for a better preparation and lead-up to Australian Open,” Djokovic said.
“I look forward to Melbourne. Rod Laver is probably my most — not probably, it certainly is my most successful court in my career. I love playing there. I look forward to it.
“I have a week off for recovery now and working on specific things in terms of my game, my body, getting my mind in the right state for the best-of-five and two long weeks hopefully.”
Sabalenka triumphs
Aryna Sabalenka warmed up for the Australian Open by capturing her 11th WTA Tour title with a 6-3, 7-6 (7-4) win over teen Czech qualifier Linda Noskova in the final on Sunday.
The big-hitting Sabalenka made a sluggish start to the WTA 500 event this week before hitting her stride and she was flying in the first set against the giant-killing 18-year-old, taking charge of rallies from the baseline to grab the advantage.
Noskova, who had defeated ailing top seed Ons Jabeur in the semi-final after wins over the higher-ranked Daria Kasatkina and two-time Australian Open champion Victoria Azarenka, took the tight second set to a tie-break where Sabalenka switched gears.
A crosscourt winner set up three match points for Sabalenka and the world No.5 double-faulted before closing out the contest with a booming serve for her first title in almost two years and a boost before the Jan. 16-29 Australian Open.
“I’m super happy with another title. It was great week. I enjoyed every moment in Adelaide. So just super happy with my performance this week,” Sabalenka, who bagged her first title since Madrid in 2021, told reporters.
“I almost forgot how it feels to have the title.” The Belarusian said she was looking forward to the year’s first Grand Slam after reaching the round of 16 in 2022.
“I just feel that I’m ready to show my best and I’m ready for a big fight,” Sabalenka said. “Again, you never know what’s going to happen. I just want to control what I can and just do my best.”
Title for Gauff
American Coco Gauff also made a title-winning start to her season, comfortably beating junior Roland Garros champion Rebeka Masarova 6-1, 6-1 in rain-affected Auckland Classic final.
The top seed did not drop a set all week en route to the third crown of her career and first since the 2021 Parma title. “Honestly a great week for me despite the rain,” said Gauff.
