24-time Grand Slam champion Novak Djokovic survived an early scare in the second set to defeat former world No.3 Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6(3) at the Olympic quarter-final stage, but has it come at a cost?
Djokovic found himself trailing 0-4 and 2-5 in the second set before saving three set points to prevail when it mattered most in the eventual tiebreak.
However, the 37-year-old called for the physio for urgent attention on his right knee, the same injury that he sustained in the fourth round of Roland Garros earlier this year which forced him to withdraw pre-quarter-finals and undergo surgery.
Struggling to adjust to the clay conditions, Djokovic slipped awkwardly on multiple occasions, the same stadium on Philippe-Chatrier that prematurely ended his Grand Slam hopes in June.
“I dug deep and found a way,” Djokovic said. “Really glad that I managed to win the match. I had a scare early in the second set with the knee, kind of a déjà vu from what happened a few months ago at Roland Garros where I injured myself in a match, managed to finish the match victorious, but only to find out the next day that I tore my meniscus.
“I’m hoping that’s not the case this time. I don’t know. I’m honestly concerned, but I’m going to let the medical team evaluate the knee, do examination. Tomorrow night I think I’m playing a night match at seven, so I have some time to recover and get ready. Hopefully I’ll be able to be physically fit for the semis.”
The Serbian is expected to be closely assessed by his trusted medical team later tonight AEST before his semi-final against high-flying Italian Lorenzo Musetti.
Still chasing an elusive gold medal at the Olympics to complete his coveted silverware cabinet, Djokovic confirmed that he will do everything in his power to step out on court and represent his country.
“I think even if [the medical staff] says that it’s not okay, I’ll probably get on the court and give it a try," said the former Bronze medalist. "These are very rare chances to fight for a medal for my country, so I’m going to do everything possible in less than 24 hours to put myself in a position to fight for Serbia.”
Djokovic and Musetti will face off in the early hours of Saturday morning (3 a.m. AEST) for a place in the gold medal match against either Canada's Felix Auger-Aliassime or four-time Grand Slam winner Carlos Alcaraz.
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