Novak Djokovic's coach says 97% of players would have pulled out of Australian Open after seeing Serb’s MRI scan

Novak Djokovic and coach Goran Ivanisevic have a lot to celebrate after the Serb’s 22nd Grand Slam win at the 2023 Australian Open. However, the duo are fully aware that their sweet victory had its share of bitter moments.

Leading up to the Australian Open final, Novak Djokovic’s longing for the title - after his 2022 deportation - was put to the test by his wavering fitness and physical struggles. The Serb suffered a left hamstring injury during his title run in Adelaide, forcing him to compete through pain thereafter.

Speaking about Djokovic's straight-sets triumph against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the final on Sunday, coach Goran Ivanisevic called it “the best” victory of the Serb's career. Ivanisevic believes Djokovic's 2023 win tops even his Australian Open 2021 title, where he prevailed despite an abdominal tear.

“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.”

The 2001 Wimbledon champion hailed Djokovic's determination and confessed that most players would have pulled out of the tournament had they been given MRI results as concerning as Djokovic’s.

“97% of 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,” Ivanisevic said. “He is from other space. His brain is working different. I'm with him four years, but it still sometimes how his brain work.”

The Croat also shared details of Novak Djokovic’s physical recovery and progress, claiming that the tennis legend’s performance "shocked" him.

“He gave everything. 77 therapies a day. Every day was kind of better and better. I didn't expect this. Honestly, I was shocked. Okay, first two rounds okay, but then against Dimitrov was very scared. But he got through and in the end, he won the tournament,” he remarked.

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Novak Djokovic reclaims his World No. 1 spot with 2023 Australian Open win

Novak Djokovic will be back on top of the rankings chart on Monday

Novak Djokovic’s decision to play through the pain was all worth it in the end, as he earned numerous high rewards at the 2023 Australian Open.

The Serb was not only looking to re-establish his dominance at Melbourne Park and claim the trophy for a 10th time, but also gunning for Rafael Nadal’s Grand Slam title record and Carlos Alcaraz’s World No. 1 spot.

Both Djokovic and Tsitsipas were in contention for the World No. 1 ranking, but it was Djokovic who eventually got the grand prize. With his successful run, the 35-year-old is set to be reinstated at the top spot come Monday.

Djokovic will assume the position for a record 374th week, the most by a male tennis player and just three short of Steffi Graf's all-time mark of 377 weeks.