Dismissing the doubters, Novak Djokovic believes the hamstring injury that almost derailed his Australian Open campaign ultimately – and somewhat perversely – helped him win a 10th Melbourne Park crown.

While cynics claimed Djokovic wasn’t truly wounded, or questioned the severity of the injury, the Serbian superstar revealed in the triumphant aftermath to Sunday night’s final that he would have withdrawn from the tournament if it hadn’t been a grand slam.

“A lot of people doubted and still doubt whether I was injured. I’m going to pull some stuff to prove but I don’t feel like I need to prove anything to anyone,” Djokovic said after defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3 7-6 (7-4) 7-6 (7-5) to clinch a record-equalling 22nd career major.

“It did affect me, especially in the first week. From the fourth round onwards, I felt like it was behind me.”

But once behind him, a more relaxed Djokovic was almost unplayable, taking his game to supreme levels without having to focus so much on his battered body.

“It actually helped my tennis a lot because I felt like I could run free. I was not thinking about it,” he said.

In full flight, no-one has been able to stop Djokovic on Rod Laver Arena since the third round in 2018.

The 35-year-old’s victory over Tsitsipas extended his winning streak on RLA to 28 matches and he wound up etching his name on the Norman Brookes Challenge Cup this time around for the loss of just one set.

“If I have to choose one court conditions, balls, it would be night session Rod Laver with these balls,” Djokovic said.

“For me, (they are) by far the best conditions that I’ve ever played in. And I always want to play night session because I had such a great record. I just feel so comfortable.

“The court played really well for me. I can play the best tennis that I can, that I’m capable of. So that was the case, I think, from the fourth round onwards.

“I just found my groove. I just found the momentum and never looked back.”