At 37, it’s not uncommon for even the greatest athletes to face injury challenges, and Novak Djokovic is no exception. Despite his legendary status and 24 Grand Slam titles, Djokovic has experienced a tough year, struggling with both form and injury. His season hit a rough patch when he suffered a knee injury at the French Open, raising concerns about his ability to maintain his dominance on the ATP Tour. Though he underwent successful surgery, his camp expressed concern following a recent match.
Djokovic is currently aiming for his 100th ATP title at the Shanghai Masters, where he defeated Jakub Mensik to advance to the semifinals against Taylor Fritz. However, during his match with Mensik, Djokovic was visibly in pain, particularly with his left knee. The discomfort raised further questions about his fitness as he marches toward this milestone achievement.
In the post-match press conference, Djokovic provided an update on his condition, addressing the pain he felt during the match. “It’s a strange feeling, to be honest, those couple of points in that game, but after that, it was fine. Hopefully, when it cools down, I won’t have any trouble with it, because I already have troubles with the right knee, so it wouldn’t be great. Let’s see what tomorrow brings,” Djokovic said.
During the match, Djokovic’s pain was most evident at 3-2 in the final set, when he paused, bent over, and stretched his leg to alleviate the discomfort. He also appeared to conserve energy, holding back on his returns during Mensik’s service game, focusing instead on serving out the set. Despite the physical struggles, Djokovic managed to secure the victory.
After the match, Djokovic praised the 19-year-old Mensik, who is one of the rising stars on the ATP Tour. Djokovic has been following Mensik’s progress closely, particularly since his impressive runner-up finish at the 2022 Australian Open juniors. “He is one of the best servers in the game, and at only 19, the future is very bright for him,” Djokovic said. “I’ve been following him for years, and we enjoy playing each other. He’s got a lot of potential.”
Looking ahead, Djokovic faces a tough semifinal challenge against Taylor Fritz. Although the two have a 9-0 head-to-head record in Djokovic’s favor, the Serb’s fitness could be a factor. He’ll aim for his 10th consecutive win against Fritz as he pushes toward that coveted 100th career title, but his knee issues remain a significant concern.
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