Djokovic wrist niggle not a worry for United Cup quarters

Novak Djokovic has shrugged off a minor right wrist complaint and said on Tuesday he will be ready in less than 24 hours when Serbia take on Australia in the quarter-finals of the United Cup mixed team event.

The world No. 1 said he picked up the niggle during warmup prior to his winning singles rubber over Czech Jiri Lehecka, which he claimed 6-1, 6-7 (3), 6-1 to level the scoreline of the tie after Olga Danilovic went down to Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.

The tie was only settled in the closing stages when Danilovic and Djokovic protege Hamad Medjecovic squeezed past Miriam Kolodziejova and Petr Nouza 4-6, 7-6 (7/2), 10-8 in mixed doubles.

“(The injury) happened in the warmup today before the match,” 24-time Grand Slam champion Djokovic said.

“I got constant treatment before the match, during the match, after the match trying to address the issue in the best possible way.”

He said the fitness scare is nothing special: “It’s not the first time that I have faced these kind of circumstances at such a high level of tennis. 

“It’s not a major concern, because I still managed to finish the match and played well.

“Maybe I wasn’t feeling 100 per cent, but still it allowed me to finish the match.

“Hopefully I’ll have enough time to recover for tomorrow’s tie against Australia in the afternoon hours.”

The 2-1 Serb victory eliminated the defending champion United States, whose team was reportedly on a local golf course when the news dropped.

 “It was amazing, I didn’t have luck in singles but thank god we have Novak with us,” Danilovic said after the mixed success. 

“Hamad and I came back, we fought so hard. I”m happy to get the win and go into the quarter-finals.”

The 113th-ranked Medjedovic added: “I know how tired Olga was, she gave everything she could, and did it for us.

“I hope we have incredible support against Australia..it’s an honour to play and we will be ready for them.”