PERTH – There was a scare for Novak Djokovic fans as the Serb received treatment for a wrist issue during his United Cup match against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic on Jan 2, but he battled through for a 6-1, 6-7 (3-7), 6-1 win in the US$10 million (S$13.2 million) mixed team event.
The world No. 1, who is gearing up for a tilt at a record-extending 11th Australian Open title later in January, appeared to be bothered by his right wrist in practice and occasionally grimaced in the opening set at the RAC Arena in Perth.
The 36-year-old had his wrist worked on by a trainer after the first set and Lehecka sensed an opportunity, winning the second set in a tiebreak.
Djokovic took a medical timeout before the start of the third set and came out firing, running up a 5-0 lead before sealing the match. He said after the win that the wrist was sore.
“But I managed to play through it and it’s not the first or the last time,” the 24-time Grand Slam champion added. “These things happen. You just have to manage and find a solution, and thankfully, I managed to finish the match. Let’s see what happens now.”
Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova had given the Czechs a 1-0 lead by beating Olga Danilovic 6-1, 3-6, 6-3.
Djokovic had been scheduled to play in the deciding mixed doubles with Danilovic but he was then replaced by Hamad Medjedovic following his issue.
The Serbs went on to win the Group E tie 2-1 and are through to the quarter-finals after Danilovic and Medjedovic defeated Miriam Kolodziejova and Petr Nouza 4-6, 7-6 (7-2), 10-8.
Djokovic was not the only player hampered by injury, as Australian Open contender Stefanos Tsitsipas also struggled with a lower back problem, pulling out of his singles match at the United Cup as Greece crashed to a 2-1 defeat by Chile.
The world No. 6 was expected to meet Chilean Nicolas Jarry but sat it out, leaving teammate Stefanos Sakellaridis to step up in the Group B clash in Sydney.
Sakellaridis, just 19 and ranked 416th, put up an outstanding fight against the 19th-ranked Jarry, but fell short 6-3, 3-6, 7-5. Greek women’s world No. 8 Maria Sakkari had earlier earned a 6-0, 6-1 victory over Chile’s Daniela Seguel.
Tsitsipas returned for the crucial mixed doubles decider with Sakkari, but they lost 6-7 (5-7), 6-3, 10-6 to Seguel and Tomas Barrios Vera.
Tsitsipas, who reached the Australian Open final in 2023 but lost to Djokovic, was clearly struggling on serve late in the match, grimacing as he held his back.
While watching Sakkari’s singles, he had said “there are a few chances I might not play and there are a few chances that I might” against Chile.
Tsitsipas has 10 ATP Tour titles to his name, but is still searching for a first Major win. REUTERS, AFP
