Novak Djokovic. (Pic Credit – X)
The 21-year-old has danced the dance Djokovic has led, but as the Spaniard learnt on a cold, windy night in the Australian Open , 50 winners isn’t nearly enough when it’s Djokovic on the other side. “If I lost that second set I don’t know if I would continue playing, but I felt better and better.
“I just wish that this match today was the final,” Djokovic said. “The medication started to kick in and it helped no doubt,” Djokovic said. Djokovic, who appeared to tweak his left groin during the ninth game of the match, left the court for treatment after flashing a concerned look at his box. When the seventh seed returned some five minutes later, his left quad was strapped. One of the most epic matches I’ve played on any court. I managed to play a great couple of games to end the second set. I saw Carlos was hesitant a little bit from the back of the court. It didn’t bother me, it didn’t create any hindrance towards the end of the match, only in that second set.”
On Tuesday, at the other end of the Rod Laver Arena was Carlos Alcaraz of the dazzling gifts.
Alcaraz Stages Comeback Against Injured Djokovic
In the second set of their match, Novak Djokovic broke Carlos Alcaraz in the second game to lead 2-0. However, Djokovic, who was visibly limping, managed to extend his lead to 3-0. Alcaraz, 21, fought back to level the score at 3-3 and then 4-4.
Reflecting on the match, Alcaraz acknowledged his mistakes, stating, “I was controlling the match and I let him back into the match. That is the biggest mistake I made. When you see someone struggling physically, it seems like it’s going to be easier. At the same time, you’re thinking, I have not to make mistakes. Probably you’re not hitting the ball the same way that you were before.”
Djokovic, who rushed to hug his coach Andy Murray after the win, didn’t want to divulge details about his injury as he was still in the tournament.
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