Novak Djokovic leaves Australian Open crowd in stitches after pills revelation

Novak Djokovic was in a jovial mood on Monday night following his demolition of Alex de Minaur, and left the crowd in stitches with a risque joke when discussing his hamstring injury with Jim Courier.

There have been huge concerns surrounding Djokovic’s fitness in Melbourne this year, with the 35-year-old struggling with a hamstring injury throughout the first week of the Australian Open.

But he brushed off any concerns on Monday night with a straight sets victory over hometown hero Alex de Minaur, cruising to a 6-2, 6-1, 6-2 win on Rod Laver Arena.

Novak Djokovic left the Australian Open crowd in stitches with a crude joke about pills

He said he is taking anti-inflammatory pills to help deal with a persistent hamstring problem

And when discussing the status of his injury with Jim Courier on court, Djokovic amused the Melbourne crowd after revealing he was taking anti-inflammatory pills to help him deal with the injury. 

‘Tonight it wasn’t obvious that I was dealing with an injury,’ he said. I didn’t feel anything today, so today was great. 

‘I thank my medical team, my physio, I thank God, I keep on going obviously, I don’t want to celebrate too early. I was feeling very good in the first match, second match not so great so I know things can change really quickly.

‘I’ve been taking a lot of pills these days, it’s not ideal, trying to mask the pain. Not those kind of pills guys! [They are] Anti inflammatory pills, which I normally don’t like taking, but I had to find a way with my team and take it day by day.

Djokovic cruised to a comfortable straight sets victory over Australian star Alex de Minaur

‘Today was the best day so far of the tournament and hopefully it stays that way.’

Djokovic’s joke referred to Viagra pills.  

It was a quick night at the office for Djokovic, with an expectant Melbourne crowd hoping for a long battle between the pair, but he was unapologetic for his speedy match after sailing through.

‘I cannot say I’m sorry you haven’t watched a longer match,’ he told Jim Courier. ‘To be honest, I really wanted to win in straight sets. 

‘I thought the first four or five games were quite close, but I started feeling more loose, to go through the ball and be more aggressive.

‘I felt he was a little bit nervous and you know tennis is a very quick, very dynamic sport so I kept my focus all the way through and I played my best match of this year so far.’