Novak Djokovic continues to buff the world of tennis after claims of abdominal tears after showing signs of pain, despite imperious performance to defeat Canada Milos Raonic at the Australian Open.
World No.1 said there was no doubt in his bid for the ninth Australian Open title after his bid for abdominal tears, which occurred at his game against Taylor Fritz, was too much to get past the great Canada that served.
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But Djokovic sparked further doubts about his fitness by refusing to confirm details about his secret abdominal injury after making his way to a 7-6 (7-4), 4-6, 6-1, 6 victory. -4 and into the Australian Open. quarter-rounds final.
He underwent an MRI scan and nearly two days of treatment from medical staff but moved well in his fourth round over the 14th Raonic seed, which was completed in the early hours of Monday morning.
But after the game, Djokovic said the only reason he hasn’t pulled out of the Open already is because it’s a big slam.
“I understand you want to find out, but I don’t really want to find out what it is,” Djokovic said.
“Yes, I did an MRI, I did everything.
“I know what it is, but I don’t want to talk about it now. I’m still in the competition.”
On Saturday, Serena Williams coach Patrick Mouratoglou was one to question whether Djokovic had exacerbated the injury to get in the head of his opponents.
But he doubled down after watching Djokovic ‘s game and said it was’ hard to believe’ that World No.1 had torn his muscles after he was moving.
Many in the tennis world were still divided about the issue after watching his performance against Raonic.
New York Times writer Christopher Clarey said it appeared Djokovic’s ability to heal was ‘amazing’, but that it was ‘foolish’ to think he had not been injured.
Djokovic ‘s recovery powers certainly look incredible but conspiracy theorists have yet to answer the question of why he would have any incentive to inflict injury with a comfortable two – set lead against Taylor Fritz. No player wants to break his own move
– Christopher Clarey (@christophclarey) February 14, 2021
Beyond laughter people would think 🤔 Djoker would play a possum up ⬆️ 2 sets very slowly, and we’ve seen so much of this tournament so far https://t.co/M43aQbvesR
– Brad Gilbert (@bgtennisnation) February 14, 2021
Finally, I have no idea what to do with Djokovic ‘s injury.
– D’Arcy Maine (@darcymaine_espn) February 14, 2021
There are several players who deal with slam injuries. Djokovic likes to publish it though, his teams updating the media on the hour. Clearly there is a degree of harassment as well as it seems to be moving well https://t.co/OSFSWcTDUu
– Dale (@DaleyLips) February 14, 2021
Djokovic says playing on this event could make the injury worse but says he won’t know until he’s off painkillers: “I’m fine with what he’s doing. happens after the competition because I’m going to take some time off to heal before I go again. “
– Tumaini Carayol (@tumcarayol) February 14, 2021
Djokovic claims to have won the 300th Grand Slam
Djokovic said if it had not been a Grand Slam tournament, he might have been injured back due to the extent of his injury.
“I didn’t hit a tennis ball yesterday … I tried to use every hour to recover and allow myself to at least give the court at least some chance, which it did. me, “said Djokovic.
“As I said on the court, if I’m part of any competition other than a grand slam, I certainly wouldn’t be playing.
“But it’s a real slam. It’s important to me at this stage of my career, of course.
“I want to do everything possible in this short time to get on the court. “
The big-time Raonic hit 26 aces to 10 Djokovic and there were some obstacles for the Serbian star to overcome as he allowed the same two break points of the first set to drop and the second to drop.
But Djokovic took power through the third set to become the second after Roger Federer to win 300 grand slam games.
with AAP
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