Novak Djokovic has been told that his shock loss to Alex de Minaur could be a positive in his quest to win a record-extending 11th Australian Open title. The world No. 1’s six-year, 43-match winning streak on Australian soil came to an end last Wednesday as De Minaur beat him 6-4 6-4 at the United Cup. But Alex Corretja told Express Sport that it could be a “relief” to the king of Melbourne Park.
Djokovic had a difficult start to the season when he struggled with a wrist injury and suffered a defeat to De Minaur during Serbia’s United Cup tie against Australia. The 24-time Major winner received treatment from the physio during two changeovers and went on to lose in straight sets as the Australian No. 1 dominated, losing just one point on his frst serve.
It marked the 36-year-old’s first defeat Down Under since the 2018 Australian Open, where he crashed out to Hyeon Chung in the fourth round. His remarkable 43-match streak spanned four Australian Open trophies as well as title runs in Adelaide and the ATP Cup. While it could be a discouraging sign, former world No 2 Corretja believes that the loss will provide a boost to his chances in Melbourne.
“Definitely he’s still at the top,” the Spaniard told Express Sport. “He’s been showing that he’s been playing the best tennis in the last year, winning so many tournaments. In a way this sort of feeling like, ‘Oh all of sudden he lost one match in Australia.’ Okay, he’s just removed that already.”
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Corretja, who will be part of the Eurosport and discovery+ team during their live coverage of the Australian Open, thought it would be a relief for Djokovic to no longer be quizzed over his winning streak and when it could end. The 49-year-old continued: “There’s not going to be anymore questions in the press conference like, ‘You haven’t lost in Australia since I don’t know how many years ago.’
“This is over, so in a way it might be a little bit of a relief but the important thing is to be healthy. If he’s healthy and his wrist is 100 per cent, definitely he’s going to be the main contender right now. There is no doubt about it.”
While the likes of Carlos Alcaraz and Jannik Sinner have emerged as threats to the world No. 1’s dominance, Corretja still thought Djokovic was at the top of the pile when it came to title contenders in Melbourne. “There are other guys that can do well of course, and they’re doing well,” he added.
