For the second time in as many days, Novak Djokovic has withdrawn from practice at the Australian Open. Having needed painkillers to get past Carlos Alcaraz on Wednesday, injury fears are rising.
Some, however, aren’t convinced. They believe this is merely a tactic, a ruse, a way for the 37-year-old to up the stakes as he prepares for his semi-final showdown with Alexander Zverev on Friday.
Djokovic was written off by many at the start of the tournament. Having failed to win a single Grand Slam in 2024, his doubters have started to label him a faded force.
When he lost the first set against Alcaraz, who pummelled him at Wimbledon last year, Djokovic was widely expected to crumble. Here he was, going up against a man 16 years his junior, who also happens to the poster boy the next generation.
Novak Djokovic: Australian Open fans are waiting to see if the tennis star is able to face Alexander Zverev
REUTERS
What happened next, however, was nothing short of extraordinary.
Djokovic, fuelled by anger following his row with an Australian broadcaster, summoned the magic of old to power his way to victory.
It was quite something, seeing the veteran produce a masterclass at the age of 37. Those who have been quick to dismiss his prospects of Grand Slam glory this winter are now, surely, eating their words.
The victory took a toll on Djokovic, however. He was forced to use painkillers to get by and retiring crossed his mind, something he later admitted.
He said after the win: “Well since I’m still in the tournament, I don’t want to reveal too much obviously.
“But yeah, the medication started to kick in and that helped, no doubt. I had to take another dose. This sounds awful! Me taking another dose. But I had to.
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“I didn’t know, to be honest, if I lost the second set I didn’t know if I would continue playing.”
Djokovic is a force to be reckoned with, a figure that has scaled heights far higher than any other tennis player (yes, that involves Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal) over the past 15 years or so.
The prospect of him pulling out of his clash with Zverev seems unfeasible. And yet, mystery is mounting out in Australia and there are now legitimate concerns that his tournament might be done.
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Novak Djokovic needed painkillers to get past Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open
REUTERS
The former world No 1 is 37. He is not a youngster, somebody who can afford to sacrifice the short-term for the long term. For Djokovic, it is all about the now.
If injured, and if he chooses to play on, then it would risk making things worse. That’s something, due to his age, that he simply can’t afford.
Djokovic skipped practice on Wednesday and didn’t take to the courts in Melbourne today, either. As a result, it legitimately looks like he may not be able to face Zverev in what would be one of the most-exciting matches of the entire competition.
Novak Djokovic is due to face Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open on Friday
REUTERS
Or it’s all just a game. Djokovic is a smart man and leaving Zverev waiting until the last minute could given him an advantage over the German. What, after all, must he be thinking?
It’s hard to tell what the truth is at the current moment in time.
What ultimately happens, and whether he plays or not, remains to be seen.