Mullins doubles on Vega
“I’m not saying it’s gamesmanship, it’s pretty obvious he has a bit of a niggle, but at times it looks like it’s about to snap off, so he’s playing it up nicely here and there, but that’s Novak,” said the Channel 9 commentator.
Rapid
Djokovic, 35, appeared irritated by repeated questioning about his rapid recovery in his English postmatch press conference. He later told Serbian media he would consider publishing his MRI scans on social media but added: “I leave the doubting to other people. Only my injuries are questioned.
“When some other players are injured, then they are the victims, but when it is me, I am faking it. I’m not interested in what people are saying.
“It is fun, it is interesting to see how the narrative surrounding me continues, a narrative that is different compared to other players going through similar situations.
“But I am used to it, and it just gives me extra strength and motivation, so I thank them for that.”
Win
Asked in his courtside interview why he won so quickly against De Minaur, Djokovic said: “Because I really wanted to win in straight sets.”
It had appeared Djokovic, who was heckled in the Rod Laver Arena, was referring to his hamstring issue.
But the 21-time Grand Slam champion was later asked about De Minaur’s comments during last year’s deportation drama.
The Aussie claimed he was sick of the “circus” around the issue and said Diokovic had “taken a lot of spotlight away from us competitors”.
He added: “If you wanted to come to the country, you had to be double vaccinated. It was up to him, his choices. Here we are.”
After reaching his 13th Australian Open quarter-final, Djokovic said: “I respect him as a rival, a colleague, as I respect everyone. He showed in 2022 what he thinks about me.”
WILLIE Mullins has kept his options open over Facile Vega after entering the unbeaten and highly-rated six-year-old in both the Supreme Novices’ Hurdle and the Ballymore Novices’ Hurdle at the
Cheltenham Festival in March.
Last year’s Champion Bumper winner won in Grade 1 company at Leopardstown over Christmas and is 4-5 to give Mullins his eighth win in the Supreme, the Festival opener.
Unbeaten
Royal Bond winner Marine National, who is unbeaten in four races, is also entered.
Tolworth winner Tahmuras will bid to end Paul Nicholls’ 12-year wait for a Supreme winner, while Britain’s other big contender, Rare Edition, is also set for the curtain raiser.
Impaire Et Passe, like stablemates Facile Vega and Gaelic Warrior, will also have the option of the Supreme and Ballymore.