Australian Open: Novak Djokovic skips training
Novak Djokovic bit his way into the round of 16 on Friday despite obvious complaints with his abdominal muscles. The big question is whether, and if so, in what condition he can compete against Canadian Milos Raonic on Sunday. On Saturday, the record winner of the Australian Open came to the facility in Melbourne Park, but he skipped training.
by SID / tennisnet.com
last edit: Feb 13, 2021, 01:53 pm
"It's one of the most special victories of my career. I don't know if I'll have recovered in less than two days. I don't know if I'll be on the field," he said after his will victory over five sets against the American Taylor Fritz on Friday.
On Saturday, the 33-year-old didn't want to say whether he had to skip the match against Raonic. He underwent further examinations, Djokovic initially assumed a torn muscle fiber in the abdominal muscles. Djokovic's supervisors were not available to the press on Saturday.
Australian Open boss believes in the Joker
Djokovic against Raonic is scheduled as the last match on Sunday at the Rod Laver Arena. Tournament director Craig Tiley was confident that Djokovic will play in his round of 16. "We'll see him. He's stressful, he's tough," he told Channel Nine. "He will know exactly what treatment he needs. I have seen him play on this court many times. He is comfortable and will find his game quickly."
In addition to Djokovic, Germany's number one Alexander Zverev against the Serbian Dusan Lajovic and Dominic Thiem against Grigor Dimitrov (not before 5 a.m.) are required in the round of 16 on Sunday (not before 8:30 a.m.).
Djokovic has already won the Grand Slam in Melbourne eight times. He tries to get his 18th title down under with a major.