Djokovic: ‘I Will Compete in the Olympic Semifinals Even If the Doctor Says No’
Novak Djokovic, the top seed at the Paris Olympics, is determined to compete in the men’s singles semifinals against Lorenzo Musetti despite his knee injury. Even if his medical team advises against it, Djokovic is set on playing to win a medal for Serbia.
Match Details: Djokovic vs. Musetti at Midnight, August 3 (Hanoi Time)
Djokovic secured his spot in the semifinals by defeating Stefanos Tsitsipas 6-3, 7-6(3) on August 1. However, the victory came with a price – a troubling right knee, which had undergone surgery in early June. With less than 24 hours to recover and assess his condition, Djokovic faces a tough challenge ahead of his evening match at Philippe Chatrier court.
Determination to Win
“I think even if the medical team says everything is not okay, I will still go out and compete,” Djokovic said after his quarterfinal win against Tsitsipas. “This is a rare opportunity to win a medal for my country. So, I will do everything possible in less than 24 hours to put myself in a position to fight for Serbia.”
Djokovic’s resolve is evident. Despite being hailed as the greatest male tennis player of all time, based on his titles and records, an Olympic gold medal still eludes him. This coveted achievement is the missing jewel in his crown, a glory that his rivals Rafael Nadal, Andy Murray, and Roger Federer have already claimed.
Historic Milestone
At 37, Djokovic is the oldest player in history to reach the Olympic semifinals in the singles category. He is also the only player to have made it to the semifinals in four Olympic Games: Beijing 2008, London 2012, Tokyo 2020, and now Paris 2024. However, his best Olympic result to date is a bronze medal in 2008.
“Honestly, I’m very worried,” Djokovic admitted. “The severe pain disappeared when I finished the match. I don’t even know why I felt pain, whether it was from hitting my knee or slipping.” He hopes this situation doesn’t mirror the fourth round at Roland Garros two months ago. Back then, a knee injury forced Djokovic to withdraw before the quarterfinals due to a torn meniscus, despite winning against Francisco Cerundolo.
Upcoming Matches
The first men’s singles semifinal features Carlos Alcaraz against Felix Auger-Aliassime at 18:30 on August 2, Hanoi time. Following this, world number one Iga Swiatek will compete against Anna Karolina Schmiedlova for the women’s singles bronze medal. The women’s singles gold medal match on August 3 will see Zheng Qinwen (China) face Donna Vekic (Croatia).
Stay tuned for more updates and thrilling matches as the Paris Olympics continue to unfold, showcasing the world’s top tennis talents in their quest for Olympic glory.
