By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, January 2, 2024 Novak Djokovic demolished the Demon Down Beneath final January.
World No. 1 Djokovic expects a packed home and loads of pleasure of their United Cup rematch.
Extra: Richard Evans on HOF, GOAT and High Rivalries
Reigning Australian Open champion Djokovic will face Australian No. 1 Alex de Minaur when Serbia faces host Australia within the United Cup quarterfinals in Perth.
The Grand Slam king shared a easy message for followers: let’s get loud.
” Lots of noise I feel from each side, from each cheerleading teams,” Djokovic mentioned when requested his expectations. “After all most likely extra expectably and logically extra Australians. Nevertheless it’s an enormous area.
“Lots of people can slot in that space, I feel 12,000, 13,000. Hopefully we will see it packed, as a result of it is an thrilling tie. I feel each match goes to be actually good to look at. You are going to get the worth in your ticket tomorrow. Hopefully we will, yeah, can expertise some nice environment, and yeah, let the higher workforce win.”
Of their lone prior assembly on the 2023 Australian Open, Djokovic muted de Minaur 6-2, 6-1, 6-2.
✅ thirteenth #AusOpen quarterfinal✅ 54th Grand Slam quarterfinal
Novak Djokovic doing Novak Djokovic issues at Melbourne Park!@DjokerNole • @wwos • @espn • @eurosport • @wowowtennis • #AO2023 pic.twitter.com/ALmZZjxwal
— #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) January 23, 2023
World No. 12 de Minaur is aware of it is going to require nothing in need of his finest tennis to check the Grand Slam king.
“It is no secret Novak’s stage, it is unimaginable, and he is most likely the GOAT, if we’re trustworthy,” de Minaur mentioned. “So he began the 12 months sturdy. It should be clearly extraordinarily powerful, however it is going to be a problem that I will be trying ahead to to hopefully going on the market and present what I can do.”
Staff Serbia shall be on wrist watch as Djokovic took remedy for a sore wrist throughout his three-set win over Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic. Djokovic mentioned the wrist is not excellent, however must be adequate when he duels Demon.
“It occurred within the warmup as we speak earlier than the match,” Djokovic mentioned. “I principally bought fixed remedy earlier than the match, throughout the match, after the match, , attempting to deal with the problem that I am going through as we speak in the very best manner.
“I imply, it isn’t the primary time that I’ve confronted these form of circumstances at such a excessive stage {of professional} tennis. I do know skilled sport typically, this stuff occur. I feel it isn’t a significant concern, as a result of I nonetheless managed to complete the match and managed to play effectively, although I possibly wasn’t feeling 100%, however nonetheless, , it allowed me to complete the match.
“Hopefully I will have sufficient time to recuperate for tomorrow’s tie towards Australia that’s within the afternoon hours, so, , extra time for us.”
Picture credit score: Matthew Stockman/Getty
