Novak Djokovic, the Serbian tennis legend, overcame discomfort in his surgically repaired right knee to secure a hard-fought victory over Stefanos Tsitsipas at the Paris Olympics on Thursday night. This triumph propelled him into the Summer Games’ semifinals for the fourth time, keeping alive his bid for a coveted gold medal. Djokovic, a 37-year-old with a remarkable 24 Grand Slam titles, will now face Lorenzo Musetti of Italy on Friday in a clash for a place in the final. In the other men’s semifinal, Carlos Alcaraz of Spain will lock horns with Felix Auger-Aliassime of Canada.
Djokovic’s knee, which underwent surgery in June after a meniscus tear sustained at the French Open, displayed signs of trouble early in the second set. Despite this, the Serbian star, who had previously overcome the injury to reach the Wimbledon final, demonstrated unwavering determination. The match, played on Court Philippe Chatrier, the same stadium where he sustained the original injury, witnessed Djokovic’s resilience as he battled through the pain. He had worn a gray sleeve over the knee during his Wimbledon run and, despite occasional discomfort, he has generally looked physically fit at the Paris Games.
While Djokovic boasts an impressive resume, including more major championships than any other man in tennis history, 98 total trophies, and more weeks at No. 1 than anyone else since the computerized rankings began, an Olympic title remains elusive. His only Olympic medal is a bronze won at the 2008 Beijing Games, making this year’s competition particularly significant. Djokovic’s desire to secure an Olympic gold medal is evident in his relentless pursuit throughout the tournament. He dominated his first three matches, including a convincing 6-1, 6-4 victory over his long-time rival Rafael Nadal, without dropping a single set.
Against Tsitsipas, the 25-year-old Greek who has twice been runner-up to Djokovic in Grand Slam finals, Djokovic appeared unfazed in the opening set. He displayed his trademark power and precision, ending the set with a blistering cross-court forehand winner, accompanied by a celebratory wave to the enthusiastic crowd. However, in the second set, Djokovic’s knee began to cause him discomfort. He stumbled awkwardly on a few occasions, grimaced in pain, and limped intermittently. Following a 3-0 deficit, Djokovic received attention from a trainer who worked on his knee, and the two engaged in a lengthy conversation. Jelena, his wife, looked on anxiously from the stands, while his team also expressed concern.
The situation worsened as Tsitsipas surged ahead 4-0. Another visit from the trainer, this time accompanied by a doctor, resulted in Djokovic taking a pill to alleviate the pain. Tsitsipas then served for the set at 5-3, earning three set points when he went up 40-love. However, Djokovic, known for his remarkable mental fortitude, refused to yield. He broke serve and, as he often does, dominated the tiebreaker, showcasing his unwavering determination in the face of adversity.
