Djokovic’s status in doubt due to injury
MELBOURNE, Australia – Novak Djokovic said he tore a muscle during a fall in his five-set victory in the Australian Open’s third round Friday and might need to pull out of the tournament.
His opponent, American Taylor Fritz, wasn’t so sure. He figured Djokovic definitely will be back out there Sunday to continue his pursuit of a ninth championship at Melbourne Park and 18th Grand Slam title overall.
“If he can play like he played in the fifth, I don’t see why he wouldn’t play,” Fritz said. “He’ll beat pretty much anyone.”
The No. 1-ranked Djokovic seemed to be cruising along with a two-set lead Friday night when his left foot gave out from under him as he tried to change directions and he slipped awkwardly on the white “MELBOURNE” lettering at the back of the blue court. He took a medical timeout for treatment on his side and later was helped more by a trainer. Fritz got back into the match, before Djokovic eventually won 7-6 (1), 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2.
When it ended, Djokovic puffed his chest, held his arms out wide and bellowed, his voice echoing through an empty and otherwise silent Rod Laver Arena. The match began with spectators present, but they were forced to leave a little past 11:30 p.m. – about an hour before Djokovic wrapped up his win – because a local COVID-19 lockdown began at midnight.
No. 3 Dominic Thiem, who won the U.S. Open in September, appeared to be in real trouble against Australia’s Nick Kyrgios in front of a raucous crowd, but came all the way back from a two-set deficit to win 4-6, 4-6, 6-3, 6-4, 6-4. Thiem’s fourth-round opponent is No. 18 Grigor Dimitrov, who advanced when Pablo Carreno Busta retired after losing the first seven games.
On the women’s side, Serena Williams used an on-the-run, back-to-thenet, no-look, over-the-shoulder shot to help a comeback 7-6 (5), 6-2 victory over 19-year-old Anastasia Potapova despite 25 unforced errors in the first set alone.
Competition at the year’s first Grand Slam tournament will be allowed to continue, but no fans can attend as of Saturday.