Amidst injury concerns, Novak Djokovic vows to play the Paris Olympics semifinals ‘even if doctor says it’s not okay’
Novak Djokovic is adamant about playing in the 2024 Paris Olympics semifinals despite a troubling knee injury.
Novak Djokovic (Via Imago)
Novak Djokovic picked up a knee injury during his 2024 Paris Olympics quarterfinal clash with Greece’s Stefano Tsitsipas. There has been talk of the possibility of him withdrawing from his semifinal clash with Lorenzo Musetti.
Djokovic, however, is adamant about competing and winning a medal for his country. Though he won the bronze medal in the 2008 Beijing Games, the Olympic gold has eluded him in his illustrious career.
Even if doctor says it’s not okay, I’ll probably get on the court and give it a try. These are very rare chances, to fight for a medal for my country, so I’m going to do everything possible in the next 24 hours to put myself in a position to fight for a medal for Serbia.Novak Djokovic said after the quarterfinals
The 24-time Grand Slam champion, who was dealing with the pain in his right knee, was on the cusp of losing the second set against Tsitsipas. He called his physio twice during the set. It was the same knee Djokovic injured during his fourth-match match at the French Open this year, which saw him withdraw from the quarterfinals.
The 6-3, 7-6(3) win against Tsitsipas made the 37-year-old oldest player to reach the semifinals in the Olympic singles. Djokovic also improved his head-to-head record against the Greek player to 12-2.
Novak Djokovic vs Lorenzo Musetti: Head-to-head record
Lorenzo Musetti has been enjoying good form this season and is expected to give tough competition to Novak Djokovic in the semifinals. The match is scheduled to take place on Friday (August 2). However, the Italian, who reached his first Wimbledon semifinals this year, has won just one game against the Serb in their seven encounters.
That Wimbledon semifinal was Musetti’s seventh clash with Djokovic. Unlike this year’s French Open, where Musetti was beaten in five sets in the Round of 32, Djokovic secured himself a final berth with an easy 6-4, 7-6(2), 6-4 win at the SW19. He later lost in the summit clash to Spain’s Carlos Alcaraz.
Apart from the French Open and Wimbledon, Djokovic also met Musetti in the fourth round of the Monte-Carlo Masters this season, and the result was no different. The only time the 22-year-old beat the Serbian was in the fourth round of the 2023 Monte-Carlo Masters.
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Gouri Das
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