Novak Djokovic successfully negotiated his first match of 2024 at the United Cup in Perth but had to overcome an injury scare midway through the match.
Djokovic was cruising in his match against Jiri Lehecka of the Czech Republic, representing Serbia in the mixed-gender team event, when a wrist injury threatened to derail his challenge.
The World No. 1 was leading 6-1 3-1 when the issue arose, prompting Lehecka to win four games in a row on her way to capturing the second set in a tie-break and squaring the scores.
Along the way, he managed to irritate Djokovic by celebrating a serve break too passionately, with the Serbian appearing erratic as he lost the tie-break 4-7.
Things looked bleak for Djokovic at that point, but, true to form, he found some extra reserves after taking a medical timeout, overcoming his wrist niggle to dispatch Lehecka in fairly ruthless fashion, racing to a 5-0 lead via two breaks of serve on his way to a 6-1 6-7 6-1 victory.
Serbia had tied the match against the Czech Republic at 1-1 after reigning Wimbledon champion Marketa Vondrousova had taken the lead by defeating Olga Danilovic 6-1 3-6 6-3.
“It’s always the greatest honour to represent your country, [but] it’s also more responsibility, bigger burden as well,” Djokovic told reporters following the match.
“Especially if you’re playing in this format, second match, 0-1, you have more pressure to win.” But we’re still in the competition.”
Djokovic was supposed to play in the deciding mixed doubles match, however he backed out owing to a wrist niggle.
His absence did not cost Serbia, as Danilovic and Hamad Medjedovic defeated Miriam Kolodziejova and Petr Nouza of Czech Republic 4-6 7-6 10-8 to win the tie 2-1.
