Novak Djokovic is injured. © ANSA / YOAN VALAT

Djokovic leaves the start of the quarterfinals open

The drama king of Paris saved himself a second time with a show of strength - but whether tennis star Novak Djokovic will even compete in the quarter-finals of the French Open remains to be seen.

June 04, 2024

From: dpa/dl

“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow or the day after, whether I will be able to go on the pitch and play,” said the 37-year-old Serb late on Monday evening: “I hope so. Let’s wait and see what happens.”

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In the round of 24, the 6-time Grand Slam tournament winner won 1:5, 7:3, 6:7, 5:6, 3:XNUMX prevailed against the Argentine outsider Francisco Cerúndolo, although he slipped on the sand early in the second set and injured his knee. The defending champion explained that he had to see what the tests revealed on Tuesday and what it felt like when the adrenaline and painkillers no longer worked.

Painkillers from the doctor

The Serb revealed that he received the maximum dose of painkillers from the doctor during the match: “He said: Okay, that’s it. That's all I can give you at the moment." After 45 minutes he felt the effect and successfully completed the duel with the blatant outsider despite his physical limitations.

Novak Djokovic had to be treated several times. © ANSA / MOHAMMED BADRA

His right knee hasn't felt 100 percent well in the past few weeks, but he sustained the injury on the slippery surface of Court Philippe Chatrier. Djokovic had already complained to the head referee during the match: “I dislocated my knee. I slip and slide all the time.”

“I twisted my knee.” Novak Djokovic

But even that couldn’t stop “Djoker”. Even his ex-coach Boris Becker was amazed at the comeback qualities. It was “out of this world,” said the tennis icon at Eurosport, “how he pulls it off every time in the fourth and fifth set.” His only explanation was: “It's a Grand Slam and he really wants his 25th title. Then he gets everything out again.”

Sinner's big chance?

As a reminder: If Djokovic does not make it to the final, Sinner will be promoted to world number 1 for the first time from Monday. If the Sesto native reaches the final himself, then Djokovic could also win the French Open and Sinner would be at the top of the rankings. In the quarter-finals, the South Tyrolean will face the Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov (ATP 14) on Tuesday (not before 10 p.m.). Click here for the preview.