Novak Djokovic received treatment for a wrist issue during his match against Jiri Lehečka at the United Cup for mixed teams on Tuesday. However, the world number one fought to win with scores of 6-1, 6-7, 6-1, helping Serbia to tie with the Czech Republic in the tournament, which has a total prize money of ten million dollars. Djokovic, who is preparing to extend his record at the Australian Open by winning for the 11th time this month, seemed to be bothered by his right wrist during training and occasionally grimaced in the first set at the RAC Arena.
The Serbian player received treatment on his wrist after the first set and Lehečka sensed an opportunity to win the second set in a tiebreak. Djokovic took a medical timeout before the start of the third set and came out strong, leading 5-0 before closing out the match. The 36-year-old player stated after the win that his wrist was hurting. He added, "But I managed to get through the match. This is not the first or last time. Such things happen. You just have to manage it and find a solution. Let's see what happens now."
Djokovic was scheduled to play in the decisive mixed doubles match with Olga Danilovic but was replaced by Hamad Medić. Earlier, Markéta Vondroušová, the Wimbledon champion, gave the Czech Republic a 1-0 lead by defeating Danilovic 6-1, 3-6, 6-3. Greece suffered a surprising loss to Chile in their opening match of group two, as Maria Sakkari and Stefanos Tsitsipas lost 6-7, 6-3, 10-6 against Daniela Seguel and Tomás Barrios Vera in mixed doubles at Ken Rosewall Arena in Sydney.
Sakkari defeated Sigel 6-0, 6-1 in the opening match before Chilean Nicolás Jarry triumphed over Stefanos Sakellaridis 6-3, 3-6, 7-5 to level the tie after the Greeks decided not to feature Tsitsipas, the Australian Open runner-up, in singles. The Australian Open is set to take place from January 14 to 28 at Melbourne Park.
