Djokovic makes Olympics semis despite injury scare

Novak Djokovic reached his fourth Olympic Games semi-final on Thursday after overcoming a knee injury scare and a massive second-set deficit. Djokovic was “hoping for the best” Thursday that his right knee wouldn’t wreck his Olympic gold ambitions. Djokovic’s 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) win over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the Roland Garros quarterfinals on Thursday worsened his knee, which required surgery in June.

After falling on Court Philippe Chatrier’s baseline and hobbling across the arena, the 37-year-old needed on-court care and a painkiller. He rallied from 0-4 and 2-5 down, saving three set points in the ninth game, to win the tie-break. The Serb meets Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti on Friday in the last four. I’m worried about the knee. I don’t have precise information. Djokovic said he will inspect the knee with medical staff and then decide.

“I have more time tomorrow because I play at 7:00 pm. I hope to be ready and optimistic. I must be.” He added: “Anti-inflammatory helped. Since that impact will fade, I’ll probably have a more accurate picture tomorrow and hope for the best.” The 24-time Grand Slam champion has only won a bronze in Beijing in 2008 and is still seeking an Olympic gold. The fourth Olympic semi-final is his. “I must be 100% fit and capable of running with him to win the match. I know it will be tough “Djokovic said of his match with Musetti.

In June, the Serb tore his right meniscus at the French Open, forcing him to withdraw from the quarterfinals. He miraculously survived immediate surgery and reached the Wimbledon final, losing to Carlos Alcaraz. “It’s good that I managed to get it done in straight sets and finish the match tonight,” he told a TV interviewer on court after defeating Tsitsipas. “I concluded my fourth-round French Open match and found out I tore my meniscus.

Need to see what happens now. Not sure what to say. Day by day. I expect to be fit tomorrow.” Djokovic beat Musetti six times in seven matches, including the Wimbledon semi-finals. Musetti defeated defending champion Alexander Zverev to become the first Italian Olympic semi-finalist on Thursday. Thursday’s outcome was another depressing experience for Tsitsipas against Djokovic.

Djokovic defeated him in the 2021 French Open final on the same court after two sets. Djokovic defeated him in the 2023 Australian Open final. Five years have passed since Tsitsipas vanquished the Serb. “I learned again it’s not over. Tsitsipas stated it’s not happening till you close it. It was one of the rare times I dropped a set after a double break. It’s disappointing since I felt terrific.”