In a thrilling night at the Paris Games, Novak Djokovic displayed incredible resilience as he battled through pain to secure a 6-3, 7-6 (3) victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas, booking his spot in the Olympics semifinals. The 24-time Grand Slam champion expressed concerns about his surgically repaired right knee, which caused him discomfort during the match.
“I’m concerned about the state of the knee. I cannot give you exact information, because I don’t have it. I have to go and examine the knee now with my physio and with the medical staff of the tournament. And then let’s see,” Djokovic shared after the match. Despite the uncertainty surrounding his knee, the 37-year-old from Serbia remains hopeful and determined to compete at his best.
“I’m hoping I can be ready,” Djokovic added, emphasizing his determination to push through any obstacles in pursuit of his first Olympic gold medal. With a semifinal clash against Lorenzo Musetti of Italy looming, Djokovic’s focus is on recovery and preparation to ensure he is in optimal condition for the upcoming match.
Meanwhile, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain is set to face off against Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada in the other men’s semifinal, promising an exciting showdown between two rising stars in the tennis world.
During his match against Tsitsipas, Djokovic experienced a moment of alarm when he felt a “sharp pain” in his knee early in the second set at Court Philippe Chatrier. This incident brought back memories of Djokovic’s previous injury at the French Open, where he tore his meniscus on June 3, leading to his withdrawal from the tournament.
Despite the challenges and uncertainties surrounding his knee, Djokovic’s resilience and fighting spirit were on full display as he overcame the pain to secure a crucial victory. As the tennis world eagerly anticipates Djokovic’s upcoming semifinal match, the focus remains on his recovery and ability to perform at the highest level against formidable opponents in pursuit of Olympic glory.
