Novak Djokovic gives fitness update after injury scare as Daniil Medvedev appears to mock his rival’s injury
Novak Djokovic came away with a straight-set victory over Daniil Medvedev in the Adelaide International 1 semi-final, but it was quite a dramatic affair as the 21-time Grand Slam winner suffered an injury scare.
Playing in first tournament on Australian soil since being deported from the country last year, Djokovic has been in imperious form as he didn’t drop a set in his first three matches.
And the top seed kept that record going in the last four on Saturday as he defeated Medvedev 6-3, 6-4 in one hour and 30 minutes to set up a clash with Sebastian Korda.
Here’s to you, 33 🙌@DjokerNole defeats Daniil Medvedev 6-3 6-4 to stretch his winning streak in Australia to 33! #AdelaideTennis pic.twitter.com/1OqYbqEbAN
— Tennis TV (@TennisTV) January 7, 2023
The former world No 1 was dominant early on as he broke in game three and eventually found himself 4-1 up, but he overstretched during a point in the sixth game and started rubbing his hamstring.
Although visibly troubled, he served to go 5-2 up and then took a 10-minute medical timeout for treatment on his hamstring before returning to complete the the opening set.
Despite still being uncomfortable, he continued to be in charge in the second set and the break eventually came in game seven, although he had to save two break points in the next game to stay in control.
Midway through one of the games Medvedev decided to mock Djokovic’s hamstring problem by clutching his leg and pretending to limp between points.
The moment when Medvedev apparently mocked Djokovic and his injury 👇 pic.twitter.com/qsucz9zUuX
— Saša Ozmo (@ozmo_sasa) January 7, 2023
But Djokovic was not put off by his rival’s antics as he served out the match.
“Thankfully it was nothing too serious,” he said. “If it was I wouldn’t be able to continue. I just took a medical timeout, some anti-inflammatories and kind of settled in.
“After a few games I was just trying to keep the momentum going and not allow him to break my serve. I think that was the key that I eventually would get a chance. The longer the match went, the longer my hamstring was warmer and bothering me less. Hopefully for tomorrow it will be fine.”
Korda, who upset sixth seed Jannik Sinner in the quarter-final, booked his place in Sunday’s showpiece match after Yoshihito Nishioka withdrew with the American leading 7-6 (7-5), 1-0.
