Novak Djokovic has dismissed concerns he may not be 100 per cent for the Australian Open.
Word spread through Melbourne Park on Sunday that all was not well with the world No.1, but he allayed fears with a strenuous late-afternoon workout at Rod Laver Arena.
“I had a tough couple of days but it’s all behind me. It was a little bit of the flu in the stomach. I’m ready,” Djokovic said.
After crowning his six-title 2014 campaign with a fourth year-end championship in London, Djokovic suffered a surprise season-opening semi-final loss to Ivo Karlovic in Doha.
But neither his head cold or shock defeat has fazed the four-time Open champion heading into his first-round clash on Tuesday with Slovenian qualifier Aljaz Bedene.
“The success that I’ve had at the Australian Open gives me the confidence to believe I can go far,” he said.
The top seed became a father for the first time last October and says playing for son Stefan only adds to his motivation.
“Becoming a father brought a lot of joy to me and fulfilment in my life,” Djokovic said.
Like last year, Djokovic is in the same half of the draw as defending champion Stanislas Wawrinka – who ousted the Serb in the quarter-finals – and they could meet 12 months on in the semis.