In a thrilling match at the 2024 Paris Olympics, world number one Novak Djokovic overcame a significant challenge to defeat Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6(3) in the men’s singles quarterfinals on August 1. Despite his victory, concerns about Djokovic’s knee injury linger, casting a shadow over his impressive performance.
Djokovic entered the match with a recent history of knee issues, having undergone surgery on his right knee in early June. This injury had forced him to withdraw from the Roland Garros quarterfinals earlier this year, also on the Philippe Chatrier court. His knee problems seemed to resurface during the match against Tsitsipas, raising alarm among fans and his team.
After securing a 6-3 win in the first set, Djokovic’s rhythm faltered due to the knee pain. Early in the second set, he called for medical attention after falling behind 0-3. His condition appeared to affect his play, resulting in more unforced errors and another lost service game, putting him in a 0-4 deficit. The sight of Djokovic struggling brought back memories of his previous Olympic setbacks, causing concern among his supporters.
Despite his physical struggles, Djokovic found hope when Tsitsipas faltered on his next service game, allowing the Serbian star to reduce the deficit to 1-4. Djokovic again sought treatment, demonstrating his resilience and determination to continue fighting. His perseverance paid off as he saved a crucial break point, preventing Tsitsipas from running away with the set.
With Tsitsipas seemingly poised to close out the set, leading 40-0 in a decisive service game, Djokovic displayed his legendary mental fortitude. He responded with four consecutive return winners, leveling the score at 5-5. Though Tsitsipas managed to save a break point, two unforced errors on his forehand allowed Djokovic to even the set in a stunning comeback.
Even as the match headed into a tie-break, Djokovic’s fans remained anxious. He quickly fell behind 0-2 but soon found his rhythm, capitalizing on Tsitsipas’ errors. Djokovic’s strong serves and strategic play helped him secure the match point, ultimately winning the set 7-6(3) and sealing a 6-3, 7-6(3) victory.
Following his victory, Djokovic expressed concerns about his knee injury. “I felt scared at the beginning of the second set when I had problems with my knee, as if the memories of Roland Garros two months ago were coming back,” he admitted. “Back then, I tried to play through the pain before finding out about my torn meniscus the next day. I hope this time it’s not the same.”
With less than a day to rest and assess his condition, Djokovic faces a challenging road ahead. He is set to compete against Lorenzo Musetti in the men’s singles semifinals on August 3 at midnight Hanoi time. The first semifinal will feature Carlos Alcaraz and Felix Auger-Aliassime at 6:30 PM today, August 2, Hanoi time.
Djokovic’s journey in Paris continues to captivate fans and experts alike, as he battles both his opponents and his injury in pursuit of Olympic glory. The tennis world will be watching closely to see if Djokovic can maintain his form and health as he aims for a spot in the finals and a chance to add another Olympic medal to his illustrious career.
