Novak Djokovic is uncertain whether he will be able to play in the French Open quarter-finals on Wednesday after injuring his right knee and requiring anti-inflammatory tablets during his fourth-round win over Francisco Cerundolo.
The world No. 1 limped into the quarter-finals at Roland Garros after defying a knee injury to come through the longest Roland Garros match of his career.
He beat Cerundolo – in another five setter – 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 in four hours 39 minutes.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion, whose five-set match against Lorenzo Musetti ended just after 3am on Sunday, said his knee had been bothering him for several weeks but the injury resurfaced when he took to the court in the first round. from the second set and tweak.
He began wincing and rubbing his right knee shortly after taking the first set and needed medical time in the next before being cleared by the trainer and doctor on several separate occasions.
Djokovic was heard telling his physio: “I messed up my knee. I was sliding and sliding all the time.”
Djokovic rubbed his knees after winning the opening set
The 37-year-old will face Casper Ruud in a rematch of last year’s final on Wednesday.
“At one point, I didn’t know if I should continue or not with what happened. I got some medicine and then, after the third set was over, I asked for another medicine and got it,” said the three-time Roland Garros. champion.
“It’s the maximum dose that kicked in… after 30 to 45 minutes, which is about the time at the end of the fourth flight, when it really started to improve for me. I started to feel less restrictions in movement.
“The whole fifth set was almost pain-free, which is very good. But the effect of the medicine will not last very long, so I will see. We will do some screenings and tests and check tomorrow, as well.
“We have done something with the doctor today. Some positive news but also some concerns, so let’s see tomorrow. I can’t say more about it now. I’m glad to be able to play the fifth set. . without feeling pain I felt for both- half-set But you never know what tomorrow will be.
“The good thing about the Slam is that you have days in between which will allow hopefully the healing process to be more efficient for me.
“That’s it. I don’t know what’s going to happen tomorrow — or after tomorrow, if I’m going to be able to go out on the field and play. You know, I hope. Let’s see what happens.
“It happened. It was unplanned and unpredictable, so I had to rethink or reprogram with the medical team and physiotherapy the recovery period and focus mainly on the knee.”
Djokovic, who also took the final tumble in the contest, said the dry conditions after a week of rain had affected the clay.
“The injury I felt today with my knee happened exactly because of that, because I was tired and it was too much,” he said.
“Everybody jumps on the clay, but I’m very tired many times. It’s unusual. Me, because I have an aggressive movement, a dynamic change of direction. It’s normal for me.
“I’ve been tired and fallen in the mud many times in my life, and also in the grass, but this has happened many times today.”
Djokovic said his team was talking to tournament officials about why his requests for more courts were being denied.
“Today I injured myself. I survived. I won the match. Great. But will I be able to play next? I don’t know,” he added.
“I do not know the severity of the injury. But can have this injury can be prevented? Maybe, if there is just a little more frequent care of the court during the flight.”
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