Djokovic hesitates before semifinals: "I have to meet with my medical team"

Fernando Murciego | 1 Aug 2024 | 23.14

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Anyone who didn't watch the match between Novak Djokovic and Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games would look at the score and think it was a hard-fought victory for the Serbian over the Greek, with nothing more to add. Those who did watch the match will still have the scare in their bodies from seeing the Belgrade native limping at the start of the second set, asking for medical assistance a couple of times, losing four straight games, and even doubting whether the 24-time Grand Slam champion would have the physical strength to continue. Fortunately, the bad news didn't come, and not only was he able to keep competing, but he managed to secure the win. A very different story, though, was the expression on Nole's face in the post-match interview on Eurosport.

"Right now, I lack information, I can't say anything. The first thing I will do is meet with my medical team and undergo some tests to assess the situation. Initially, the positive aspect is that I managed to gather the tools to finish the match, but I was also able to finish the round of 16 match at the last Roland Garros and ultimately couldn't proceed to the next match […] I don't know, for now, I'm not sure about anything, I just know I'm happy because I was able to handle those final moments of the match to win it, but now I'll have to wait and see what happens next," confessed the tournament's top seed.

A challenging situation for Novak, who underwent surgery just weeks before facing Wimbledon, knowing that things could turn very negative there. We saw him making it to the final there seemingly effortlessly, although receiving a significant beating at the hands of Carlos Alcaraz, but with a healthy meniscus and the freedom to continue his schedule without any objections. The specter of a relapse hadn't loomed in Paris either, but it arose on this first day of August when the match against Tsitsipas was fairly under control. Now, another player with a one-handed backhand will try to put him in trouble, someone who has been chasing him in recent months.

MUSETTI IN SEMIFINALS

Because if we delve into Djokovic's season this year, it won't be easy to find many outstanding matches, those that stay in your mind for a few days. However, just mention Lorenzo Musetti's name and immediately that battle at Roland Garros where they both pushed themselves to the limit for four hours and finished in the wee hours of the morning comes to mind. They met again at Wimbledon, this time in the semifinals, but there the fox didn't want to give any chance, showing all the skill he possesses to halt the Italian's momentum. What will happen tomorrow in Paris?

"I try not to look too far ahead; I'm taking it day by day in this tournament. The first thing I want to know is our schedule for tomorrow because there's a chance they might schedule our match during the day session. My next opponent will be Lorenzo Musetti, who is in extraordinary form; I believe he has reached the semifinals in the last five or six tournaments he has played, that says it all. We had an amazing match at Roland Garros this year; we finished close to 3:00 in the morning in that third-round match, so I just hope to arrive at this match as well-prepared as possible and in good physical shape. It will undoubtedly be something I'll need if I want to have a chance," pointed out the man who is just two steps away from winning his first Olympic gold.

This news is an automatic translation. You can read the original news, Djokovic duda antes de semifinales: “Tengo que reunirme con mi equipo médico”

ATP