Tennis 571036
Novak Djokovic Misses Training Again Due To Injury Ahead Of Australian Open Semi Vs Alexander Zverev 4z9y
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Get to know Sam McEvoy betterPublished23 Jan 2025
Novak Djokovic has skipped practice for a second day in a row due to injury ahead of Friday’s Australian Open semi-final against Alexander Zverev.
Novak Djokovic Misses Practice Due To Thigh Injury 2y2s3j
The 37-year-old picked up an injury to his left thigh in his quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday.
The Serbian was due to practice on Wednesday at Melbourne Park but opted to miss the session and recover instead.
While it came as no surprise that Novak Djokovic missed Wednesday’s training session due to the injury, it is concerning that he has now missed Thursday’s practice session, too.
He is set to prepare for his semi-final encounter against Zverev on Friday lunchtime. But it remains to be seen if the Wimbledon champion will recover in time.
Novak Djokovic is being seen by the physio off-court in his match against Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open.
He injured himself at 4-4 and definitely looks like he’s struggling.
Hopefully he’s able to continue. pic.twitter.com/hrzap62mue
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 21, 2025
Speaking after beating Alcaraz, Djokovic said: “It’s definitely going to be challenging from every aspect. I’m playing Zverev, who is in great form, and he is going for his first grand slam.
“I think he loves the conditions. He’s got a big serve. He’s a super dangerous opponent on this surface against anyone. The extra day with no match comes at a good time.
“I hope to be able physically to be moving freely and to be able to be ready to play five sets.”
Djokovic No Stranger To Battling Through Injury and Pain 2r6f5j
It’s not the first time Djokovic has had to battle through the pain at a grand slam.
At prior Australian Open tournaments, the Serb had an abdominal strain which he battled through in 2021. Then, two years ago, picked up a hamstring injury in Melbourne.
Djokovic has only lost one of his previous 11 Australian Open semi-finals. That came against Jannik Sinner last year. In every other instance, he’s gone on to win the title.