World number one tennis star Novak Djokovic has dismissed suggestions that he was foxing injury during his Australian Open final win and has said that he went through a genuine 'physical crises' before he beat Andy Murray to clinch a record fifth title in Melbourne.
Djokovic looked wobbly on his feet early in the third set, after trailing by a break. He roared back to win 12 of the last 13 games for a 7-6 (7-5), 6-7 (4-7), 6-3, 6-0 victory on a drama-charged night at Melbourne Park.
The Serb is the first man in 47 years of professional tennis to bag five Australian Open crowns, his victory also consigning Murray to a more dubious place in the record books, Stuff.co.nz reported.
After also succumbing to Djokovic in the 2013 and 2011 finals, and to Roger Federer in 2010, the vanquished Scot is the first man in the open era to lose four title matches at Melbourne Park.
During the final against Murray, the Serb clumsily lost his footing and balance and was often gasping for air on many occasions. When he lamely dropped serve to fall behind 2-0 in the third set, the top seed looked down and out.
Djokovic, though, insisted his troubles were legitimate and he flatly dismissed suggestions of gamesmanship. He said that he believes everybody predicted, it was going to be a big battle, very similar match to the Australian Open final in 2013 when they played over two hours for the first two sets.
The Serb said that two-and-a-half hours for the first two sets was very physical and very exhausting. He added that they both, of course, went through some tough moments physically and one could see that he had a crisis at the end of the second and beginning of the third.
Djokovic insisted that he just felt very exhausted and needed some time to regroup and recharge and get back on track, claiming that that is what he has done.