How Novak Djokovic plans to 'prove' truth of hamstring injury after winning Australian Open
Novak Djokovic is planning to "post some stuff to prove" the extent of his hamstring injury he now says actually helped him win a record-extending 10th Australian Open.
Djokovic's hammy was one of the tournament's major storylines with some questioning whether the Serbian was truly battling a significant injury.
The 35-year-old had his leg taped heavily throughout the two weeks at Melbourne Park - but noticeably less so for the straight sets win in the final over Stefanos Tsitsipas.
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Novak Djokovic of Serbia hugs the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup. AP
Djokovic said he would have withdrawn from the tournament if it wasn't a grand slam.
"A lot of people doubted and still doubt whether I was injured," he said.
"I'm going to post some stuff to prove but I don't feel like I need to prove anything to anyone. It did affect me, especially in the first week.
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"From the fourth round onwards, I felt like it was behind me... It actually helped my tennis a lot because I felt like I could run free. I was not thinking about it."
Australian tennis pro John Millman - who lost to Daniil Medvedev in the second round - was struck by Djokovic's uncharacteristic outpouring of emotion at Rod Laver Arena.
"I talked to a member of his team, getting closer to that final, he's adamant that hamstring is actually pretty bad," Millman told Nine's TODAY show.
"Mind over matter apparently with Novak. Apparently he can block it all out. Apparently he's considering releasing a bit of footage and some scans to show how bad that hamstring was. If that's the case, well, that just adds to the aura that is Novak Djokovic."
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