Australian Open 2023: Novak Djokovic’s Coach Says 97 Per Cent Of Players Would Have Pulled Out After Seeing His MRI Scan

Djokovic had won the Australian Open 2021 with an abdominal tear but his coach said his 2023 victory was unbelievable.

Novak Djokovic of Serbia poses with the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup at the Government House after winning the 2023 Australian Open, on January 30, 2023 in Melbourne, Australia.

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It was a tournament to remember for Novak Djokovic at the Australian Open 2023. He continued his dream run in Melbourne and clinched his record-equalling 22nd Grand Slam title when he defeated Greek Stefanos Tsitsipas at the men's singles final at the Rod Laver Arena on Sunday.

Post his 10th Australian Open triumph, his coach Goran Ivanisevic has revealed some astonishing details from his campaign. He revealed that Djokovic's MRI Scan report wasn't very encouraging and over 97 per cent of players would have pulled out but it was a testimony to the Serbian's mental strength that not only did he kept going but came back only after the title had been won.

Definitely the best win of Djokovic's career: Ivanisevic

Ivanisevic even rated this win has the best one of his career so far. He describes this victory as greater than the one in 2021 where he won despite an abdominal tear. On this occasion, a hamstring injury had been troubling him.

“I think I have to agree with him like he said, definitely the best one, not only because all what happened last year and he came back, but last three weeks, they were extremely hard," Goran Ivanisevic said. 

"I thought I saw everything in 2021 when he won here with the abdominal tear. This one was unbelievable. To play like this every day better and better, it's just impressive.”

"Ok, let me put it like this. I don't say 100 percent, but 97 per centof the players, on Saturday when you get results of the MRI, you go straight to the referee office and pull out of the tournament. But not him. He is from other space. His brain is working different," Ivanisevic said as quoted in an India Today report.

Earlier Djokovic had himself called it the biggest victory of his life.

"I tried to pinch myself and live through these moments. It's a long journey I know, this is also a long talk from my side so bear with me guys. I just have to say this because only the team and the family knows what we've been through in the last 4-5 weeks and this is probably the biggest victory of my life, considering the cicumstances," the 35-year-old said during his interview after the final.