Australian Open – Novak Djokovic still bothered by his thigh injury: “Like a roller coaster”

“It’s like a roller coaster, honestlyhe explained on Saturday after his victory, in three sets (but in three hours) against the Bulgarian. The first game (against Roberto Carballes Baena) went well. In the second (against Enzo Couacaud), I suffered a lot. There were several moments when it was really bad. Same today. I felt good at the beginning, like in the other matches, then after, all it takes is one specific move and it gets worse.”

On Saturday, the high point of the alert was reached at the very end of the first set, which Djokovic pocketed in the decisive game after a huge point. After his winning end, he stayed on the ground for a while, before taking a medical time-out in stride. “I take painkillers, thigh warming cream, stuff like that. It works for a while, then it doesn’t work anymore. It comes and goes.” The principle of the roller coaster, in short.

The most painful, according to Novak Djokovic, is that this injury which more or less handicaps him according to the sequences and hovers like a sword of Damocles above his head prevents him from focusing 100% on the game. “It takes a lot of physical and mental energy.says the man who is seeking a 10th crown in Melbourne in the first Grand Slam on the calendar. There is all that to manage in addition to the match and my opponent. Then, of course, it is not ideal to play while being in a physical condition which is not ideal.”

Yet, he swears, he would have signed eight to ten days ago to be where he was today. “It’s like that, I have to deal with it, but I’m already very happy to be able to play in fact, slips Djokovic. Considering the turn of events just before the tournament started, I wouldn’t have believed this would be possible. But I’m still here and I’m holding on.”

He did not consider forfeiting because he wanted “see how“he himself”felt on the court“So since Monday, the roller coaster has started, from one game to another, sometimes from one set to another.”But for now, I’ve managed to survivehe rejoices. I will take the matches one after the other. I don’t know what awaits me but I keep hope and faith for the best“. Like everyone, like Djokovic himself, his next opponent Alex de Minaur must be wondering what face the Serbian champion’s thigh will have on Monday at the Rod Laver Arena.