Djokovic injury fears after epic French Open win
Sports
Jonathan Jurejko
Defending champion Novak Djokovic says he does not know if he will be fit enough to play his French Open quarter-final after blaming the “slippery” Roland Garros clay for aggravating a knee injury.
Djokovic, 37, showed his supreme powers of recovery once again to come through a five-set marathon against Argentine 23rd seed Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round on Monday.
The world number one was hampered by the injury before winning 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3.
Djokovic will face Norwegian seventh seed Casper Ruud, who the Serb beat in last year’s final, in the last eight on Wednesday.
“At one point I didn’t know if I should continue,” said Djokovic.
“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow or if I’ll be able to step out on the court and play. I hope so. Let’s see what happens.”
For the second time in three days, the 24-time major champion fought back from a two-sets-to-one deficit.
The fourth-round match with Cerundolo started at about 4pm local time on Monday, little over 36 hours after his previous contest against Lorenzo Musetti finished at 03:07 on Sunday morning.
But Djokovic still had the mental and physical resilience to win another gruelling encounter lasting four hours and 39 minutes.
The top seed broke out into a beaming smile when he sealed victory, pointing to his chest and then to the court in celebration.
It was Djokovic’s 370th victory at a Grand Slam tournament, putting him clear of his great rival Roger Federer.
“I don’t know how I won,” the three-time Roland Garros champion said. (BBC Sports)
F.A
June 4, 2024
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