Novak Djokovic said his ninth Australian Open title came after one of the toughest tournaments of his career, with a muscle-tear injury that is still "not healed" and attacks from the media and public.

Despite the challenges, the world number one snuffed out the threat from in-form Russian Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 to reinforce his status as the king of Melbourne Park and collect his 18th Grand Slam crown.

But there were numerous hurdles to jump, not least having to quarantine for 14 days and the negative reaction to a letter he wrote to Tennis Australia pre-tournament which was interpreted as a "petulant and selfish" list of demands.

"I think emotionally it was one of the hardest tournaments that I've ever had, to be honest," the Serbian top seed told Australia's Channel Nine on Sunday.

"We had quarantine and a lot of things happening in the media, then the letter that I wrote as ideas and recommendations that I got for players was misinterpreted as a list of demands. Then the next thing I was persona non grata here in this country.

"So it was tough dealing with all of this and then getting injured in the third round," he added of the abdominal tear that almost forced him to pull out.

"It was a rollercoaster ride... I think it makes it even sweeter for me and a lot of positives from this tournament without a doubt."

His coach Goran Ivanisevic said the criticisms Djokovic had to deal were unfair.

"Actually he needed this victory so badly. There is somebody upstairs who see all this unfairness with a lot of media and people they doing to him," he said.

"He tried to help the players," he added of the contentious letter. "Again, it's only him. It's his fault, like everybody else attacking him. Nobody else to attack, so let's attack Novak."&nbsp;

<h2>- 'Great ability to heal' -</h2>

Djokovic sustained his injury during his third-round clash against Taylor Fritz.

After refusing to reveal the nature of the injury during the tournament, he said on Sunday it was an abdominal muscle tear.

"It's a muscle tear... I went for an MRI and it showed a tear," he said. "I understand people question whether there was a tear -- but there is. For me it was obviously a huge obstacle and challenge.

"I guess we're all different. I have maybe a great ability to heal. I don't know. I just manage somehow with pills and painkillers and stuff."

The nine-time Australian Open champion revealed he spent 10 out of 14 waking hours on the physio's table at one stage for treatment.

"It's not healed up. I'm going to go for another MRI tomorrow before I travel. I'm definitely going to take some time off. I don't know how long it's going to take," he said.

"But you know my whole energy and focus was here in Australia. If there was a tournament where I want to risk any more damage, and try my hardest to battle, it's here, it's a Grand Slam."

Djokovic's win over Medvedev strengthened his hold on world number one, where he will mark his 311th week when the new rankings come out on Monday, surpassing Federer's record of 310.

"I managed to achieve this historic number one. It seems unreal but of course I am very, very happy and proud of that," he said, adding that he has not committed to any tournaments so far after Australia.

"My focus now is the Slams, that's where I want to shine. I know age is just a number but we have to also see things realistically, I am not 22 any more.

"So I'm going to have to deal with the schedule and the calendar in a different way so I peak at the right time at the Slams."

Novak Djokovic said his ninth Australian Open title came after one of the toughest tournaments of his career, with a muscle-tear injury that is still "not healed" and attacks from the media and public.

Novak Djokovic said his ninth Australian Open title came after one of the toughest tournaments of his career, with a muscle-tear injury that is still "not healed" and attacks from the media and public. Despite the challenges, the world number one snuffed out the threat from in-form Russian Daniil Medvedev 7-5, 6-2, 6-2 to reinforce his status as the king of Melbourne Park and collect his 18th Grand Slam crown. But there were numerous hurdles to jump, not least having to quarantine for 14 days and the negative reaction to a letter he wrote to Tennis Australia pre-tournament which was interpreted as a "petulant and selfish" list of demands. "I think emotionally it was one of the hardest tournaments that I've ever had, to be honest," the Serbian top seed told Australia's Channel Nine on Sunday. "We had quarantine and a lot of things happening in the media, then the letter that I wrote as ideas and recommendations that I got for players was misinterpreted as a list of demands. Then the next thing I was persona non grata here in this country. "So it was tough dealing with all of this and then getting injured in the third round," he added of the abdominal tear that almost forced him to pull out. "It was a rollercoaster ride... I think it makes it even sweeter for me and a lot of positives from this tournament without a doubt." His coach Goran Ivanisevic said the criticisms Djokovic had to deal were unfair. "Actually he needed this victory so badly. There is somebody upstairs who see all this unfairness with a lot of media and people they doing to him," he said. "He tried to help the players," he added of the contentious letter. "Again, it's only him. It's his fault, like everybody else attacking him. Nobody else to attack, so let's attack Novak." - 'Great ability to heal' - Djokovic sustained his injury during his third-round clash against Taylor Fritz. After refusing to reveal the nature of the injury during the tournament, he said on Sunday it was an abdominal muscle tear. "It's a muscle tear... I went for an MRI and it showed a tear," he said. "I understand people question whether there was a tear -- but there is. For me it was obviously a huge obstacle and challenge. "I guess we're all different. I have maybe a great ability to heal. I don't know. I just manage somehow with pills and painkillers and stuff." The nine-time Australian Open champion revealed he spent 10 out of 14 waking hours on the physio's table at one stage for treatment. "It's not healed up. I'm going to go for another MRI tomorrow before I travel. I'm definitely going to take some time off. I don't know how long it's going to take," he said. "But you know my whole energy and focus was here in Australia. If there was a tournament where I want to risk any more damage, and try my hardest to battle, it's here, it's a Grand Slam." Djokovic's win over Medvedev strengthened his hold on world number one, where he will mark his 311th week when the new rankings come out on Monday, surpassing Federer's record of 310. "I managed to achieve this historic number one. It seems unreal but of course I am very, very happy and proud of that," he said, adding that he has not committed to any tournaments so far after Australia. "My focus now is the Slams, that's where I want to shine. I know age is just a number but we have to also see things realistically, I am not 22 any more. "So I'm going to have to deal with the schedule and the calendar in a different way so I peak at the right time at the Slams."

Djokovic says 'rollercoaster' Australian Open one of toughest tournaments

Novak Djokovic on Wednesday lashed out at the criticism of his letter to Australian Open chief Craig Tiley in which the Serb suggested easing of COVID-19 quarantine restriction as&nbsp;the world number one tennis star said his intentions were "misconstrued”.&nbsp;&nbsp;

A total of 72 players have been confined to their hotel rooms for 14 days and are unable to train for the Grand Slam which is scheduled to be held from February 8-21. The move to quarantine the players come after passengers on three charter flights&nbsp;carrying&nbsp;them&nbsp;to Melbourne tested positive for coronavirus.&nbsp;&nbsp;

Djokovic, according to reports, asked Tiley for reduced isolation periods while moving players in hard quarantine to&nbsp;"private houses with tennis courts". The development received staunch criticism from Australians.&nbsp;

However, Tiley confirmed that they were suggestions and not demands by Djokovic.&nbsp;

"My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult and ungrateful,"&nbsp;Djokovic&nbsp;who is isolating in Adelaide along with other top players, said in a lengthy statement.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/sports/two-players-test-positive-in-new-australian-open-blow-357802" hreflang="en">Two players test positive in new Australian Open blow</a>&nbsp;

"This couldn't be farther from the truth.&nbsp;

"... at times when I see the aftermath of things, I do tend to ask myself if I should just sit back and enjoy my benefits instead of paying attention to other people's struggles."&nbsp;

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Tennis coach Daniel&nbsp;Vallverdy&nbsp;told Reuters that players in hard quarantine should get prime practice times and matches scheduled in cooler hours of the matchday.&nbsp;

Former Australian tennis player Sam Groth had accused Djokovic's letter as a&nbsp;"selfish political move" while&nbsp;Aussie tennis star&nbsp;Nick Kyrgios called the Serbian a "tool".&nbsp;

&nbsp;"I've earned my privileges the hard way... it is very difficult for me to be a mere onlooker knowing how much every help, gesture, and good word mattered to me when I was small and insignificant in the world pecking order,"&nbsp;the Serbian ace&nbsp;said.&nbsp;

ALSO READ:&nbsp;<a href="https://www.wionews.com/photos/from-hamilton-to-ronaldo-athletes-who-tested-positive-for-covid-19-in-2020-352776" hreflang="en">From Hamilton to Ronaldo: Athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020</a>

"Hence, I use my position of privilege to be of service as much as I can where and when needed."&nbsp;

&nbsp;Djokovic went on to express his gratitude towards the Australian government and Australian Open&nbsp;organisers&nbsp;to allow the players to participate amid the pandemic.&nbsp;&nbsp;

"Things in the media escalated and there was a general impression that the players (including myself) are ungrateful, weak and selfish because of their unpleasant feelings in quarantine," he added.&nbsp;

"I am very sorry that it has come to that because I do know how grateful many are. We all came to Australia to compete. Not being able to train and prepare before the tournament starts is really not easy.&nbsp;

"None of us ever questioned 14 days of quarantine despite what is being said by media outlets."&nbsp;

Novak Djokovic on Wednesday lashed out at the criticism of his letter to Australian Open chief Craig Tiley in which the Serb suggested easing of COVID-19 quarantine restriction as the world number one tennis star said his intentions were "misconstrued”.

Novak Djokovic on Wednesday lashed out at the criticism of his letter to Australian Open chief Craig Tiley in which the Serb suggested easing of COVID-19 quarantine restriction as the world number one tennis star said his intentions were "misconstrued”. A total of 72 players have been confined to their hotel rooms for 14 days and are unable to train for the Grand Slam which is scheduled to be held from February 8-21. The move to quarantine the players come after passengers on three charter flights carrying them to Melbourne tested positive for coronavirus. Djokovic, according to reports, asked Tiley for reduced isolation periods while moving players in hard quarantine to "private houses with tennis courts". The development received staunch criticism from Australians. However, Tiley confirmed that they were suggestions and not demands by Djokovic. "My good intentions for my fellow competitors in Melbourne have been misconstrued as being selfish, difficult and ungrateful," Djokovic who is isolating in Adelaide along with other top players, said in a lengthy statement. ALSO READ: Two players test positive in new Australian Open blow "This couldn't be farther from the truth. "... at times when I see the aftermath of things, I do tend to ask myself if I should just sit back and enjoy my benefits instead of paying attention to other people's struggles." pic.twitter.com/YbGDYWL7Yf — Novak Djokovic (@DjokerNole) January 20, 2021 × Tennis coach Daniel Vallverdy told Reuters that players in hard quarantine should get prime practice times and matches scheduled in cooler hours of the matchday. Former Australian tennis player Sam Groth had accused Djokovic's letter as a "selfish political move" while Aussie tennis star Nick Kyrgios called the Serbian a "tool". "I've earned my privileges the hard way... it is very difficult for me to be a mere onlooker knowing how much every help, gesture, and good word mattered to me when I was small and insignificant in the world pecking order," the Serbian ace said. ALSO READ: From Hamilton to Ronaldo: Athletes who tested positive for COVID-19 in 2020 "Hence, I use my position of privilege to be of service as much as I can where and when needed." Djokovic went on to express his gratitude towards the Australian government and Australian Open organisers to allow the players to participate amid the pandemic. "Things in the media escalated and there was a general impression that the players (including myself) are ungrateful, weak and selfish because of their unpleasant feelings in quarantine," he added. "I am very sorry that it has come to that because I do know how grateful many are. We all came to Australia to compete. Not being able to train and prepare before the tournament starts is really not easy. "None of us ever questioned 14 days of quarantine despite what is being said by media outlets."

Novak Djokovic lashes out at critics over Australian Open quarantine stance

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Djokovic says 'rollercoaster' Australian Open one of toughest tournaments

Novak Djokovic lashes out at critics over Australian Open quarantine stance