Australian Open 2023 Melbourne Park Day 4 19/01/2023 Injured Novak Djokovic (SRB) grimaces in second round match Photo Roger Parker International Sports Fotos Ltd
Novak Djokovic is now convinced that his runaway winover Alex de Minaur has put him back on the path to a 10th Australian Open title.
The Serb who came to Melbourne nursing a hamstring problem, has made enough progress through round-the-clock treatment from his fitness team that he can now boast about working to set another record.
He said he has gained a confidence breakthrough after his 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 thrashing of the last Aussie left in the draw.
“A week ago I didn’t really think about the title, I just thought about being in a good enough condition to play the next match,” the 21-time Grand Slam winner said.
“Tonight, the way I played, the way I felt, gives me reason now to believe that I can go all the way.”
He added: “The way my leg felt before tonight wasn’t giving me too many hopes, so to say, for the entire tournament.
“But tonight I feel positive about it.”
The last Grand Slam winner in the men’s field hinted that his main trophy rival could well be fellow quarter-finalist Stefanos Tsitsipas.
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