Novak Djokovic reveals he struggled for 'several weeks' after rollercoaster win on tennis return

Novak Djokovic has revealed he struggled for “several weeks” with injury after he battled through to the second round in Dubai on his return to tennis. Djokovic beat Tomas Machac 6-3 3-6 7-6(1) on Tuesday in his first match since winning a record-extending 10th Australian Open title. Ad During his run to a 22nd Grand Slam win, Djokovic appeared to have problems with his hamstring but dropped just one set on his way to the final, before beating Stefanos Tsitsipas in straight sets.

ATP DubaiDjokovic avoids big scare to beat Machac in Dubai in first appearance since Australian Open2 HOURS AGO “He [Machac] was giving me all kinds of trouble,” said Djokovic about his close first round win at the Dubai Tennis Championships. “But I guess when it mattered I found another gear and physically you can always be better. I demand the highest of standards and levels of tennis that I can possibly get.

“I did struggle with injury for several weeks and it took me a little bit of time to get used to holding a racquet. “I haven’t played much tennis coming into Dubai so I’m hoping, as the tournament progresses, I can raise the level of tennis as well.” Djokovic broke Steffi Graf’s record of 377 weeks as world No. 1 on Monday, which has gained the plaudits from Eurosport’s experts.

In 2021, Djokovic had already beaten Roger Federer’s men’s benchmark of 310 weeks at the top of the ATP rankings, the same year he came one match away from completing the calendar Grand Slam, where a player wins all four majors. The 35-year-old says he “couldn’t imagine” staying at the top of the sport for so long, having first become world No. 1 in July 2011.