Novak Djokovic explained that his viral Doha airport video was completely misunderstood as the Serb didn’t limp because of his Australian Open injury but because he accidentally hit himself in the ankle just before departing for the airport.
After picking up a hamstring tear in Melbourne and retiring in the semifinal, the 37-year-old returned to action three weeks later at the Qatar Open. There, the world No. 7 got upset by Matteo Berrettini in the first round and also reached the doubles quarterfinal with Fernando Verdasco.
While Djokovic’s very early singles exit left his fans concerned, the concerns only grew bigger after he was spotted limping into the Doha airport. After watching the video, many instantly thought that his leg injury wasn’t fully healed.
Djokovic in Indian Wells addresses the viral video: It was really awkward to see that
“It was really, awkward to see that video, because I arrived to the airport and I hit myself really badly as I was walking out, because it was very early, I think, 4:00 or 5:00 a.m. I was just limping because I hit myself badly in the ankle. That’s all. It was just a hit. It was nothing else. But then people connected it to the injury and thought it was something escalating and coming back,” the 37-year-old explained.
“But anyway, I’m feeling good. I really look forward coming to Indian Wells and Miami this year, you know. I’ll play the Sunshine Double first time after, I think, six years.”
As the No. 6 seed, Djokovic had a first-round bye in Indian Wells. On Thursday, Nick Kyrgios retired injured against Botic van de Zandschulp – so instead of having a rematch of the 2022 Wimbledon final – fans in the desert will watch the Serb open his campaign by playing against van de Zandschulp.
Djokovic is only player with Roger Federer to have completed a three-peat in Indian Wells but his fifth and last title in the desert came in 2016.
Tennis World USA