World No. 2 tennis player Novak Djokovic has raised concerns about his knee injury following a dramatic victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas in the men’s singles tennis event at the Paris Olympics 2024. Novak Djokovic, who is 37, displayed remarkable resilience in the quarter-finals on August 1, overcoming a significant knee issue that emerged during the intense second set. Despite needing medical attention and receiving pain-relief medication after a slip at the baseline of Court Philippe Chatrier, Novak Djokovic secured a 6-3, 7-6 (7/3) win against Tsitsipas.
The Serbian tennis star, who has a history of knee problems, had previously experienced a similar injury during the French Open 2024. At that time, Novak Djokovic was forced to withdraw from Roland Garros and underwent surgery to address a torn meniscus before making a successful comeback for Wimbledon. His current knee issue has prompted him to express concern about the possibility of exacerbating the injury.
Novak Djokovic managed to reach the semi-finals at the Olympics for the fourth time, despite a challenging match against Tsitsipas. After initially trailing 0-4 and 2-5 in the second set, he demonstrated extraordinary fortitude by saving three set points and securing victory in the tie-break. Reflecting on his performance, Novak Djokovic told reporters, “I dug deep and found a way. I’m really glad I managed to win the match. I had a scare early in the second set with the knee, which felt like déjà vu from Roland Garros, where I ended up tearing my meniscus.”
The Serbian champion is scheduled to face Italy’s 11th seed, Lorenzo Musetti, in the semi-final on August 3. Novak Djokovic holds a favorable record against Musetti, having won six of their seven encounters, including three matches this season, notably the Wimbledon semi-final. Novak Djokovic’s goal is to secure his first gold medal at the Olympics, having previously won a bronze at the 2008 Beijing Games.
“I’m committed to giving everything I have for a medal for my country,” Novak Djokovic stated. “Even if the medical staff advises against it, I will probably still get on the court and give it a try. These opportunities to fight for a medal are rare, and I am determined to do everything possible in the next less than 24 hours to be ready for Serbia.”
