Novak Djokovic makes worrrying injury confession as he reveals what comes next

Kevin Palmer
Novak Djokovic injury concern
Novak Djokovic looks concerned

Novak Djokovic described his Australian Open quarter-final win against Carlos Alcaraz as one of the greatest matches of his illustrious career – but it may have a big impact on his hopes of winning an 11th title in Melbourne.

Djokovic damaged his hamstring at the end of the first set against Alcaraz, before finding a way to win in a sensational match that saw the 24-time Grand Slam champion win 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4.

This was Djokovic’s best performance in a Grand Slam since his 2023 US Open win, but he admitted he is concerned about the injury issue he picked up in the brutal battle against his 21-year-old rival.

Djokovic is due to face Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals on Friday and in an honest confession in his press conference, he admitted he was ‘feeling things’ as his body cooled day after the long match that gave him big concerns.

“I have to assess the situation tomorrow when I wake up,” said Djokovic, who suggested this injury felt similar to the problem he had when he won the 2023 Australian Open.

“I will try to do as much as I possibly can with my recovery team, with my physio, today, tomorrow, the next few days. Probably skip training tomorrow. I’ll see if I’m going to train in two days or not.

“I’ll take it day by day. Now it’s really about recovery. I’m concerned. I am, to be honest, physically. But, if I manage somehow to be physically good enough, I think mentally, and emotionally, I’m as motivated as I can be.

“I’m just pleased with the way I was able to play throughout the entire tournament, including against one of the best players, one of the two or three best players in the word in the last three, four years. It’s just a great win. I’m very proud of it.”

Djokovic has made comments like this on numerous occasions in his career before finding a way to pull out a victory and he will be relieved to have an extra day to recover before the Zverev semi-final on Friday.

He suggested he was unlikely to practice on Wednesday and would use that as the first of his recovery days, but much will depend on how his leg feels when he wakes up in the morning.

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As Djokovic proved two years ago, he can manage injuries like this and still win a Grand Slam tournament and the movement he displayed in the third and fourth sets was a positive sign for the most successful male tennis player of all-time.

With Alcaraz now on his way back to Spain and world No 1 Jannik Sinner struggling with a sickness issue that will still be a concern ahead of his match against Aussie hero Alex de Minaur, the door may be opening for Djokovic to claim that magical 25th major title.

Yet his hopes may not be decided on the court as his body now needs to give him a chance to complete one of his last great tennis dreams.

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