Novak Djokovic blasted his way past Alex de Minaur on Monday night.Credit:Getty Images
Dr Larkins said the heavy bandaging around the nine-time champion’s left hamstring had the purpose of reminding Djokovic to be careful in his movements.
“I am absolutely giving him the benefit of the doubt and don’t doubt it is real. There is probably some low-grade hamstring awareness there. It could be nerve-related,” he said.
“He is probably so finely in tune with his body that even the slightest thing will be something he is aware of. But he is still one wrong step away from doing something more serious.”
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Cash said the Serbian’s exceptional dedication to recovery helps him cope with injuries.
“What Novak does,and it is well known,is that he goes into a hyperbaric chamber. And that is going to help the healing. It is just really clever,” Cash said.
“He tries all sorts of different things. He is always exploring,trying different things,coming up with solutions to aid his recovery. He just puts the hours in and recovers.
“Some of it is genetics. Players that are light-bodied can bounce back a bit,but he just puts the extra effort in and he has a better chance of recovering from things.”
Former Australian Open finalist Marcos Baghdatis,who believes Djokovic is capable of playing into his 40s,said the world No.5 is a master at controlling himself on the court.
“It is very complicated with his hamstring but the way he moves is still 100 per cent. When I watch him play,I don’t watch someone who is in big pain,” Baghdatis said.
“For sure he has a hamstring injury. I am not saying he does not. But he finds a way to control it.”
Former champion wheelchair player Dylan Alcott says all players on the tour are constantly managing injury niggles.
“We’re all playing with something and,you know what,I feel for the top players because if you’re playing on court 17 with a hamstring,no one cares,” he said.
“But when you’re one of the most famous tennis players around,and you’ve got strapping or whatever,it gets blown massively out of proportion.”
Djokovic has a history of overcoming injuries to claim Australian Open titles,but that has fuelled some of the scepticism that he vehemently rejected on Monday night.
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Despite tearing a stomach muscle against Taylor Fritz in a third-round clash in the 2021 Australian Open,Djokovic still won the title for the ninth time.
During the Australian Open final in 2015,Andy Murray was in disbelief mid-match when Djokovic went from struggling to stand up to playing incredibly 20 minutes later.
In the infancy of his career,Djokovic’s toughness was questioned by his peers when he melted in the heat in Melbourne.
“But I am used to it,and it just gives me extra strength and motivation. So I thank them for that,” Djokovic said.