Djokovic in doubt: "Not sure I'll be able to play my quarter-final".

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Guillaume Nonque

le 03/06/2024 à 23h18

2 min to read

Cerundolo Djokovic Roland Garros Ruud

Novak Djokovic had more to say about his right knee injury in the press conference following his victory over Francisco Cerundolo (6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3). The world No.1 explained that he had already had a little discomfort for several weeks, but that it had turned into a very uncomfortable pain at the start of the 2nd set. It was then the painkillers that enabled him to play better at the end of the 4th set and into the 5th. He will undergo tests on Tuesday to determine whether he is fit to play in his quarter-final against Ruud, scheduled for Wednesday.

Novak Djokovic: "In the last few days, I'd say I had a little discomfort in my right knee, but nothing that really worried me. Of course, the late finish on Saturday (3:15 a.m. against Musetti) didn't help with sleep and recovery, but I felt very good going into the match. As well as I could under the circumstances, and I played really well in the first set.

Then, in the third game of the second set, I slipped, as I often do today. It was my knee that caught. It was painful and I asked for a medical time-out so that the physio could come and take care of it. That took me out of the match. For two and a half sets, I didn't want to engage in rallies that were too long. Every time I had to run on a drop shot or change direction, I wasn't comfortable.

(...) I couldn't be at 100%, to change direction, to run on bunches that I couldn't react to. Even for him (Cerundolo), it wasn't easy to face a player who couldn't move for two sets and then suddenly started playing well. (...)

At one point, I didn't know if I should go on, to be honest. I took some medicine, and at the end of the third set, I asked for more, the maximum dose, which took effect after 30 to 45 minutes. That was at the end of the fourth set, when things started to get better. I felt less restricted in my movements. And practically the whole fifth set was painless.

But the effects of the medication won't last. I think we'll do some more tests tomorrow (Tuesday). I saw the doctor after the match, and there were some good points and some areas of concern, so we'll see. I can't tell you more at the moment.

Yes, I managed to win, but I don't know if I'll be able to play the next game. "