Novak Djokovic rages at officials over knee injury in French Open epic

ROLAND GARROS — Novak Djokovic fumed at event officers over the state of Courtroom Philippe Chatrier however in some way overcame a knee damage to succeed in the quarter-finals of the French Open.

Djokovic, 37, beat Francisco Cerundolo 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 regardless of seemingly twisting his proper knee within the second set.

He had already complained to umpire Aurelie Tourte, sarcastically ended the trade by telling her “you guys know higher than us!”.

And after struggling the damage, Djokovic then instructed event supervisor Wayne McKewen it was “utterly ridiculous” that he was refusing to heed his pleas to rake the court docket extra commonly.

“I screwed up my knee as a result of I made a fast transfer,” Djokovic mentioned.

“I’m sliding and slipping on a regular basis.”

The 37-year-old took just one medical time-out within the second set to obtain therapy on his proper knee and was given tablets to take care of the ache on a number of events.

They usually appeared to work as he rallied to win after 4 hours and 39 minutes, the longest match of his storied Roland Garros profession by simply two minutes.

Afterwards, he instructed the group: “The victory is yours.”

It had appeared just like the story of the day could be Djokovic breaking two of Roger Federer’s information, for many grand slam match wins (369) and for many grand slam quarter-finals (58). However because it was, this match had a lot extra to it.

Djokovic arrived in Paris after a disjointed 2024, having not received a title all yr and having been struck on the pinnacle by a steel water bottle throughout the Italian Open, an incident that appeared to contribute to his shock defeat to Alejandro Tabilo two days later.

For the primary time ever, he signed as much as a event the week earlier than Roland Garros, taking part in in Geneva and conceding that he was nonetheless trying to find kind and health.

However the three-time French Open champion has appeared to search out that in Paris, profitable his first two matches in straight units after which coming via a gruelling five-setter in opposition to Lorenzo Musetti in his third: he battled gradual, heavy, chilly circumstances and an impressed Italian opponent earlier than securing victory in 5 units and over 4 hours.

Restoration was a race in opposition to the clock – there have been simply 37 hours between Djokovic beating Musetti and his match in opposition to Cerundolo beginning.

When he was filmed arriving at Roland Garros with a type of strapping on his proper knee and was seen stretching out his neck within the first set, it appeared he was nonetheless struggling some after-effects.

The scoreline prompt in any other case although as Djokovic wrapped up the primary set 6-1 in 41 minutes.

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However he did have to avoid wasting 4 break factors and solely hit eight winners within the set. He was taking part in ample however not good tennis.

Then got here a turning level. As Cerundolo held serve to edge forward within the second set, albeit nonetheless on serve, Djokovic walked to umpire Tourte and instructed her he wanted to see the physician. When medical officers arrived, he gestured that he had twisted his knee.

Djokovic had already requested why officers had been “not making an allowance for the gamers” when deciding how usually to comb the court docket. On uncommon events, event organisers will water or sweep the court docket extra usually, however normally in excessive warmth or wind. Djokovic requested them to take action each 4 video games, however his requests fell on deaf ears.

His knee was handled, twice he took tablets and a cream was rubbed into it, however Djokovic remained second greatest. He tried to play extra aggressively, shortening rallies and going for considerably extra pace on second serve. When Cerundolo may hold the factors lengthy although, he invariably received them.

Djokovic couldn’t clarify afterwards how he had discovered the power to win, from a break down within the fourth, the final two units. Within the fifth, his first serve was on common 5 kilometres an hour quicker, the adrenaline and painkillers coursing via his veins overwhelming no matter knee ache remained.

The ending was a little bit anti-climactic, Djokovic stopping some extent and asking Tourte to examine a mark he was satisfied was out. For the primary time that day, the 2 agreed on the situation of the court docket: the mark was out and Djokovic was via.

Nothing may prime the drama of his 3am win over Musetti, or so it appeared, earlier than this most likely did. His quarter-final on Wednesday has excessive expectations to dwell as much as.

Djokovic admits weeks of knee concern

Djokovic mentioned afterwards he had been given “optimistic” information by the physician initially after the match but additionally revealed that he had been feeling one thing in his knee for a while.

“For the final couple weeks I’ve had slight discomfort, I’d name it that means, in the fitting knee,” Djokovic mentioned.

“However I haven’t had an damage that may be regarding me in any respect. I used to be taking part in a number of tournaments with it, and no points till at present.”

He added: “Mainly the entire fifth set was virtually with none ache, which is nice, however then the impact of the drugs won’t final for too lengthy, so I’ll see.

“I assume we’ll do some extra screening and assessments and checkups tomorrow [Tuesday], as effectively.

“We’ve performed some with physician proper now after the match. Some optimistic information but additionally some possibly issues, so let’s see tomorrow.”