After weeks of speculation about his hamstring injury, Novak Djokovic says he wanted to get off the court quickly while it was feeling good against Alex de Minaur at the Australian Open.
The strapping on Novak Djokovic's left thigh was visible during his complete demolition of Alex de Minaur.abc.net.au/news/novak-djokovic-alex-de-minaur-australian-open-injury/101886436After weeks of appearing to be below his best, it seems nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic has rediscovered the full extent of his powers.
Asked why he so completely dismantled the last local hope in the singles draw, he said: "Because I wanted to."A heavily strapped left hamstring had given him trouble in lead-up tournaments and given hope to a men's field full of upsets, but Djokovic was back to his dominant self as he thumped Australian Alex de Minaur 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 in just over two hours on Rod Laver Arena.
The victory leaves the fans in Melbourne without a local hope to cheer on in the men's or women's singles quarterfinals for the first time since 2018, but Djokovic was making no apologies to the crowd on Monday night. "Because I wanted to," he said when asked on court why he brushed his Australian opponent aside so completely.
"I cannot say I am sorry you [the crowd] haven't watched a longer match, to be honest. I really wanted to win in straight sets."
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