Pain’s a bitter pill but Djokovic battles on
NOVAK DJOKOVIC has claimed he is ready to play through the pain barrier to reclaim the Australian Open title and world No.1 spot.
The Serbian superstar needed another medical timeout on his injured left hamstring after falling to the court on winning the first set tie-break. But the nine-time champion got up to see off No.27 seed Grigor Dimitrov 7-6 6-3 6-4.
Djokovic revealed: “It’s a specific movement that just triggers the pain. I pray it is not going to happen but it happens every match so I have to deal with it. I called the physio and got the pills in my system.
“It’s helped so far – not ideal but somehow finding a way. This is high-level professional sport – you’ve got to find a way.
“Pills kick in, some hot cream and stuff. That works for a little bit, then it doesn’t, then works again. It’s really a rollercoaster, honestly.
“The way it looked just before the tournament, I thought it wouldn’t be possible.
“I did not want to pull out because I wanted to see how it was going to feel on the court.
“I’m still here and still holding on. I’m very fortunate to get through in straight sets.”
The No.4 seed first suffered the injury winning the Adelaide International but still played an exhibition match with Nick Kyrgios before the first Grand Slam of the season.
Djokovic tore an abdominal muscle during the Australian Open two years ago but went on to lift the trophy for the ninth time, and no-one is expecting him to give up on a 10th title without an almighty battle.
The strapping on Djokovic’s left leg was even more substantial than on previous days but he settled well into the match, breaking serve in the opening game.
Dimitrov saved three setpoints at 5-3, then broke serve and had two set-points himself before losing the tie-break.
When he took the first set with a volley, a stonyfaced Djokovic collapsed to the court and called for the trainer.
There were moments when Djokovic did not appear to be moving properly, though his nine wins in 10 meetings with Dimitrov probably helped him to keep going.
And despite going down on the court twice more, Djokovic found a way through to set up a clash with Alex De Minaur.
The Aussie, who had a comfortable afternoon against France’s Benjamin Bonzi, is not reading too much into Djokovic’s injury.
He said: “Ultimately he’s one of the best players in the world. I’m just going to have to take it to him and not shy away from the occasion. I’m going to make sure I make it as tough as I can.”
Dimitrov said of his opponent’s injury: “He seemed to manage very well, that’s about all there is to say about that.”
Djokovic, the only Grand Slam champion left in the men’s draw, has dropped only one set in the first three rounds as he bids to equal Rafa Nadal’s record of 22 singles titles in men’s Slams.