By Richard Pagliaro | @Tennis_Now | Tuesday, January 2, 2024
Novak Djokovic demolished the Demon Down Underneath final January.
World No. 1 Djokovic expects a packed home and loads of pleasure of their United Cup rematch.
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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 in all probability extra expectably and logically extra Australians. However it’s an enormous enviornment.
“Lots of people can slot in that space, I feel 12,000, 13,000. Hopefully we are able to see it packed, as a result of it is an thrilling tie. I feel each match goes to be actually good to observe. You are going to get the worth to your ticket tomorrow. Hopefully we are able to, yeah, can expertise some nice ambiance, 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 quarterfinalNovak 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 can require nothing in need of his greatest tennis to check the Grand Slam king.
“It is no secret Novak’s stage, it is unbelievable, and he is in all probability the GOAT, if we’re sincere,” de Minaur mentioned. “So he began the 12 months sturdy. It is going to be clearly extraordinarily robust, however will probably be a problem that I will be wanting ahead to to hopefully going on the market and present what I can do.”
Staff Serbia will likely 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 good, however must be adequate when he duels Demon.
“It occurred within the warmup immediately earlier than the match,” Djokovic mentioned. “I principally bought fixed remedy earlier than the match, throughout the match, after the match, you understand, making an attempt to deal with the problem that I am going through immediately in the very best method.
“I imply, it is not the primary time that I’ve confronted these sort of circumstances at such a excessive stage {of professional} tennis. I do know skilled sport normally, these items occur. I feel it is not a significant concern, as a result of I nonetheless managed to complete the match and managed to play properly, despite the fact that I possibly wasn’t feeling 100%, however nonetheless, you understand, 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, you understand, extra time for us.”
Picture credit score: Matthew Stockman/Getty
#Djokovic #Minaur #Showdown