ESPN: Affirming his ailment at the Olympics, Novak Djokovic addressed concerns that he would withdraw.
The Serbian icon highlighted the fact that chances to battle for a medal for his country are “very rare” as he expressed his commitment to do everything he can to achieve his ambition.
Djokovic is poised to face Lorenzo Musetti in the semi-finals of the Olympics on Friday, but there are huge worries regarding his condition after his quarter-final triumph against Stefanos Tsitsipas on Court Philippe-Chatrier.
Djokovic injured his right knee early in the second set of his 6-3, 7-6(3) triumph against the world No. 11 on Thursday. This is the same knee that he tore the medial meniscus in at the French Open two months prior.
Following his win over Tsitsipas, Djokovic, who is chasing an elusive gold medal at his sixth Olympic Games, could not hide his concern about the ailment.
“I am very worried, honestly, I don’t know what to say,” he said in a post-match interview. “After the match, the excruciating ache subsided. I’m not even sure if I slipped or hurt myself.
It was all very similar to the fourth round of Roland Garros, when I was injured but yet managed to finish the match. Although I am happy with the outcome, I am concerned.
The world No. 2 clarified to the media, “Even if the doctor says it’s not okay, I’ll probably get on the court and give it a try. These are very rare chances to fight for a medal for my country, so I’m going to do everything possible in the next 24 hours to put myself in a position to fight for a medal for Serbia.” At 37, Djokovic may be competing at the Olympics for the last time, and an injury would be a cruel way to end his dream of winning the only significant tennis prize he has not yet secured.
If Djokovic beats Musetti to go to an Olympic gold medal match for the first time in his career, he will face either Carlos Alcaraz or Felix Auger-Aliassime.
