Djokovic

Novak Djokovic was denied the opportunity to win a record-extending 10th Australian Open title last year after his deportation but he returns to Rod Laver ...

"I've been struggling with that a bit, to be honest, the last seven days. I put it out there, make a promise to you guys," she told reporters. Register for free to Reuters and know the full story

Nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic has moved to quell concerns around his fitness ahead of his opening match in Melbourne.

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) [Live Tennis](https://www.tennis365.com/category/live-tennis/) “Yes, he seemed fine,” Robson said. [Jessica Pegula feeling on top of her game in Australian Open tilt](https://www.tennis365.com/australian-open/jessica-pegula-feeling-on-top-of-her-game-in-australian-open-tilt/)

Novak Djokovic will start his Australian Open under an injury cloud with tournament organisers nervously hoping the nine-time...

Organisers will hope for a similar result on day two when Australia's Alex de Minaur kicks off his campaign as the only seeded local hope. The day attendance of 49,274, night crowds of 28,670 and overall attendance of 77,944 were all record numbers for the opening Monday. Top Australian hope Nick Kyrgios' withdrawal with a knee injury on Monday compounded the previous withdrawals of world No.1 Carlos Alcaraz and Australian women's No.1 Ajla Tomljanovic.

Djokovic, gunning for his tenth crown in Melbourne, has been battling a hamstring injury suffered during the Adelaide International a week ago. READ MORE: Jones ...

Hopefully it won't cause an issue for me then." READ MORE:

The nine-time champion is yet to convince the tennis world that all is well, with Monday's saga renewing concerns.

The one-time foes have talked up a ‘bromance’ in recent weeks and hinted at pairing up to play doubles if they cross paths at a tournament this year. “So I played a set and then apologised to him, he was understanding, and so I just want to avoid any kind of bigger scares before Australian Open.” “I just felt it a bit, pulling, and I didn’t want to risk anything worse,” he said at the time. The former world No.1 pushed through the hamstring tightness to claim the title in Adelaide, having worked “deep into the night” with his physio between the semi-final and final. Djokovic tore an abdominal oblique muscle in the third round of the 2021 tournament and still went on to defeat Daniil Medvedev in the final. One of the leading contenders to win the grand slam, a 10th triumph in Melbourne would not be the first time the Serbian has overcome an injury obstacle to lift the trophy.

Djoker finally returns to Aus Open amid one big question. Fans don't agree on the answer.

“I think he’ll get a good reception,” said Connie. And I think that’s a quality that those players have.” So it’s good to have him back.” “Emotionally, he rubs me the wrong way. “But I was at the charity match with (Nick) Kyrgios the other night, and he got a warm reception. It’s never going to be close. “I think he will get a few boos, but we’re waiting to see.” He’s not going to drop a set.” Live Coverage of ATP + WTA Tour Tournaments including Every Finals Match. Watch Tennis Live with beIN SPORTS on Kayo. “I don’t know how he goes from being a national threat a year ago to being allowed to play, but that’s a discussion for another time,” said Goran, draped in the Serbian flag cheering Laslo Djere in the opening day two match on court 14. “He’s gonna win it.

Novak Djokovic makes his eagerly anticipated return to the Australian Open on Tuesday and women's world number two Ons Jabeur will also launch her title bid ...

They want to take a scalp off you on the big stadium. "There's a lot of youngsters now that are very hungry, that want to win. "I always like my chances.

Andy Murray is winding back the clock on Rod Laver Arena and threatening to pull off a major upset over Italian 13th seed Matteo Berrettini.

There was definitely no intention to provoke anyone,” Eugene told ABC Radio Melbourne. By Paul Johnson

Join Luke McLaughlin for all the latest from the second day of matches at Melbourne Park.

Carballés Baena holds his own in a cagey rally, Djokovic hitting the net with an attempted slice. Carballés Baena is helpless in the face of a huge serve, leaving Djokovic on the verge of winning the first set. Will Magee is here to guide you through the next hour. The Serbian and his opponent, Roberto Carballés Baena, are warmed up and we’re about to get under way. He gets the first break point of the match, but Carballés Baena salvages the situation with a belting ace. Having gathered himself, Carballés Baena claws his way to a hold. At 40-30, Djokovic comes to the net to deliver the coup de grace but Carballés Baena defends magnificently to take it to deuce. Can Carballés Baena find a way to put his iconic opponent under some kind of meaningful pressure? Carballés Baena and Djokovic share a warm greeting at the net. An unreturnable serve from Carballés Baena gives him another game point, but again Djokovic fights back to deuce … Carballés Baena has never won a match from two sets behind, we are informed by the Eurosport commentator, and Djokovic is gathering the kind of momentum that may see the Spaniard steamrollered in the third set. Emma Raducanu is through to the second round of the women’s singles and will play Coco Gauff (seventh seed) tomorrow at 8am UK time.

Despite his unprecedented record at Melbourne Park, Novak Djokovic has never been a crowd favourite – but that may have changed.

He was previously deputy editor of The Sun-Herald and a federal political reporter in Canberra.Connect via “He stood his ground and I think a lot of people respect that,” Jeremic said. It was exactly as Djokovic’s friend John Jeremic of the Serbian Council of Australia had expected.

Novak Djokovic made a lightning-fast start to his bid for a record 10th Australian Open title on Tuesday, when the Serbian cruised past Roberto Carballes ...

Although the Spaniard continued to give a good account of himself, some sharp Djokovic returning sealed the only break of the second set as the Serbian showed no sign of being bothered by his hamstring. 1 At Australian Open](/en/news/djokovic-ruud-tsitsipas-australian-open-2023-world-no-1-scenarios) [Rafael Nadal](https://www.atptour.com/en/players/rafael-nadal/n409/overview)’s record tally of 22 Grand Slam crowns, while a 10th Melbourne triumph would also see Djokovic return to No. He responded to that pressure in style, however, reeling off 12 points in a row before going on to clinch the opener, with his rock-solid defence nullifying Carballes Baena’s attempts to dictate rallies from the baseline. The fourth seed converted five of nine break points to seal a two-hour, two-minute triumph and book a second-round meeting with Playing his first match at Melbourne Park for two years, Djokovic maintained a high level throughout to claim a comfortable win despite an admirable effort from the World No.

Novak Djokovic has delivered a straight-sets victory over Roberto Carballes Baena in his Australian Open return and had plenty of love in Rod Laver Arena.

"So it took me a little bit of time to really get into the match and start moving more freely. Today was a really good test." "The leg is good. "I was kind of testing my leg a little bit. "So much support. So much love.

Novak Djokovic soaked up thunderous applause in his first match back at the Australian Open after last year's deportation drama, as the nine-times champion ...

the last time they were here, the only time they were, was in 2008. I know how to behave, I know how to handle it. So much support.

Novak Djokovic was given a hero's welcome as he returned to the Australian Open with a straight-sets victory over Roberto Carballes Baena.

[Australian Open](https://www.tennis365.com/category/australian-open/) “I know that at times I’ve got some pressure on myself to deliver. [News](https://www.tennis365.com/category/news/) I take it with pride ultimately.” No matter what happens from now, the tournament is already a success for me.” Carballes Baena, ranked 75, offered plenty of resistance in the first two sets, with Djokovic having to recover from 0-40 at 2-2. I couldn’t ask for a better start to the tournament.” [Live Tennis](https://www.tennis365.com/category/live-tennis/) [No cracks in Andrey Rublev’s game during straight sets romp over Dominic Thiem](https://www.tennis365.com/australian-open/no-cracks-andrey-rublevs-game-straight-sets-romp-over-dominic-thiem/)

On his return to competition at the Australian Open, Novak Djokovic sailed into round two with a comfortable 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 win over Roberto Carballés Baena.

“That’s probably one of the reasons I’ve been fortunate to win a lot of matches on this court, particularly in the night sessions. Holger Rune, the ninth seed, moved into the second round with a comfortable 6-2, 6-3, 6-4 win over Filip Krajinovic. “The more you win on a certain court, the more comfortable and confident you feel every next time you step on it,” he said. “Definitely this court is the most special court in my life and I couldn’t ask for a better start in the tournament.” After establishing a two-set lead, Djokovic picked apart his opponent in the third. [his deportation last year](https://www.theguardian.com/sport/2022/jan/17/novak-djokovic-deported-for-trying-to-breach-australias-border-rules-scott-morrison-says), Novak Djokovic moved into the second round with a comfortable 6-3, 6-4, 6-0 win over Spain’s Roberto Carballés Baena in just over two hours on Rod Laver Arena.

When Novak Djokovic finally walked onto Rod Laver Arena again he was no longer the anti-vax villain of last year. He was just the returning nine-time ...

He was made to stretch for a ball at the net and pulled up slightly short and hopped quickly, favouring his leg, after losing the point. He’d have beaten a lot of other players the way he played. In the second set there was a moment that betrayed some discomfort in the leg. “I was also kind of testing my leg a little bit [in the first two sets]. Maybe by that time he’d started to fatigue a little and he felt a twinge. In truth, this was a crowd of die-hard fans who would probably have welcomed him in this way last year had he been approved to play. “I was really, really hoping that things will be well on the court from the first to the last point, which was the case. Haven’t had too much training in the last few days, to be honest with you, tennis-wise,” he said. “The leg is good. He was greeted with a gushing reception. To that end, he walked on court with his upper left leg heavily strapped. The fans had come to see him.

Novak Djokovic has delivered a straight-sets victory over Roberto Carballes Baena in his Australian Open return and enjoyed plenty of love in Rod Laver ...

"So it took me a little bit of time to really get into the match and start moving more freely. Today was a really good test." "The leg is good. "I was kind of testing my leg a little bit. "So much support. So much love.

Novak Djokovic returned to the Australian Open with the sound of cheers and applause but some negative feeling remained in Melbourne.

“You’re a wanker, Novak,” yelled one voice in the crowd just before the first point. It’s time to just coexist.” He’s a good player and he can be a good bloke, but at times he’s made faulty decisions.” We need the crowds. “It’s politics, you know the rest. “Novak’s ban has been talked about to death,” Elizabeth said. “It’s time to move on,” said one fan, Sandy Chalmers, outside the stadium. “He’s a questionable character,” said Nabilh Aasine. “He believes he’s a bit better than Australia. “I really feel very happy that I’m back in Australia, back here, on the court where I had the biggest success in my career,” he said. “If they want to boo, well they can go to the football. I’m sorry, that’s where it belongs,” she said before the match.

Any fears the Australian public may give Novak Djokovic the cold shoulder were emphatically dismissed as the Serb received a hero's welcome at Melbourne ...

Novak is back, he’d be able to compete in front of the fans.' [faced ejection from the Australian Open courts if they booed Djokovic](/sport/tennis/article-11620657/Fans-Australian-Open-warned-theyll-KICKED-sledge-Novak-Djokovic-much.html) too loudly. ‘I came in with all the valid papers [last year]. That’s something I cannot predict. Djokovic was at the centre of a diplomatic storm in January last year, when he had his visa cancelled twice after arriving in Australia ahead of the [following his controversial deportation last year](/sport/tennis/article-11635057/Novak-Djokovic-reveals-deported-Australia-year-INSPIRED-win-Wimbledon.html), the 21-time Grand Slam winner walked on the court to a roaring ovation ahead of his first round match against Roberto Carballes Baena.

After the COVID vaccination and deportation mess of 2022, Novak Djokovic could be forgiven for being a bit wary ahead of his Australian Open return in 2023, ...

the last time they were here, the only time they were, was in 2008. I know how to behave, I know how to handle it. "I'm really glad to have them here …

Nine-time Australian Open champion Novak Djokovic has enjoyed an adoring reception and shrugged off his lingering hamstring injury...

"So it took me a little bit of time to really get into the match and start moving more freely. "The leg is good. Today was a really good test." "I was kind of testing my leg a little bit. "So much support. So much love.

The Serbian superstar 'pulled rank' over the official when he suddenly realised he had to leave the court.

“So it took me a little bit of time to really get into the match and start moving more freely. “I was kind of testing my leg a little bit. “I didn’t give him too much of a chance to breathe from back of the court and I served very well. “So much support. “I’m very, very pleased with the way I played in the third set,” he said. “I really feel very happy that I’m back in Australia and I’m back on the court where I had the biggest success in my career. The great sign was that the longer the match went, the better I felt, the better I moved. So much love. I mean, I could not ask for a better start of the tournament in terms of support, in terms of how I felt on the court,” he said. “I think the official was trying to pull him back.” “He needs to go to the toilet? Djokovic tried to tell the chair umpire that “I’m going to the toilet” when the players changed ends at 3-2, but she didn’t seem to hear him.