"It was the hamstrings that gave me trouble last week in Adelaide," the 35-year-old, who was seeded No.4 and No. 5 in the world after his win in Adelaide, told 9News.
"I felt it was pulling and I didn't want to take any risks," he adds.
Djokovic, who will line up in Melbourne with the hope of winning a 22nd Grand Slam title there and joining Rafael Nadal, had planned to train 75 minutes against Russian Daniil Medvedev but he stopped shortly after thirty minutes of play having conceded the first set, also specified ABC.
The Serb, who had been turned away from Australia a year ago because of his refusal to be vaccinated against Covid, is back this year and presents himself as one of the favorites.
If, because of his attitude a year ago, spectators choose to heckle the player, they will be "expelled" from the court, warned Wednesday Craig Tiley, the boss of the tournament.
Before making his comeback, Djokovic is due to face Australian Nick Kyrgios on Friday in a charity match.
The two players, notably opposed in the last Wimbledon final, have had strained relations in the past.
© 2023 AFP