Exclusive: Eurosport’s John McEnroe says Alex De Minaur can trouble ‘injured’ Novak Djokovic at Australian Open

ByBen Southby

Updated 21/01/2023 at 20:08 GMT

Eurosport tennis expert John McEnroe is unsure whether Novak Djokovic - who has an ongoing hamstring issue - is at full fitness ahead of his Australian Open fourth round match against Alex De Minaur, and believes the Australian can trouble the 35-year-old. “De Minaur is someone that potentially [cause an upset],” he said. “The type of guy that could cause Novak problems if he's not 100 percent.”

Alex De Minaur can cause problems for Novak Djokovic if the Serbian isn’t “feeling 100 percent”, according to Eurosport tennis expert John McEnroe.

Djokovic has been nursing a hamstring injury on his left leg throughout the tournament so far, which has been seen strapped up for his wins against Roberto Carballes Baena, Enzo Couacaud and Grigor Dimitrov.

McEnroe has praised Djokovic for “getting the job done” despite not looking fully fit on court.

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“It's really difficult to say with Novak exactly what's happening physically,” he told Eurosport exclusively. “He's getting the job done, he certainly doesn't look like he's [100] percent.

“It's a question of who's going to take advantage of that when the going gets tough. It just seems like he's able to rise to the occasion.

“But to me it's going to catch up to him if he's not right.”

Djokovic required treatment on his left hamstring for the second match in a row during his battle with Dimitrov.

After his second round victory against Couacaud, he told Eurosport's Barbara Schett his injury was "not good at all", sparking talk that his tournament could be over.

However, he battled his way through another round, and now faces a tricky test in the fourth round, where McEnroe feels his hamstring will be pushed to the limit.

“This is either something that is going to be a non-issue in a match or two or else it's going to cause an upset in my book,” McEnroe said. “De Minaur, his next opponent, is someone that potentially [who could do that] because he relies on speed and grit and making an opponent work. The type of guy that could cause Novak problems if he's not 100 percent."

The 35-year-old will play De Minaur after the Australian beat Benjamin Bonzi in straight sets on Monday morning.

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Although he thinks it will take “something incredible” to beat Djokovic, McEnroe believes De Minaur is capable of dismantling the 21-time Grand Slam champion if he is injured.

“If he is 100 percent or close to that, then De Minaur is the type of guy who maybe can't hurt him a lot, so Novak is a heavy favourite. This is really difficult to say where he's at right now.

“Hamstrings they are tough to diagnose, tough to rehabilitate. You really need to rest it.

“So if this is really an injury where the hamstring is affecting his movement, I'm impressed.

“He's done this well so far, so hopefully it's not too serious and he can go out and play the type of matches we've seen him play so often in Australia. Then someone has to play, do something incredible to beat him.”

Djokovic downs Dimitrov despite injury struggles - Australian Open highlights

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Stream the 2023 Australian Open live on discovery+, the Eurosport app and at eurosport.co.uk

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