 "Novak Djokovic defeated Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-final of the 2025 Australian Open despite battling an injury. AP")
Novak Djokovic reportedly skipped practice for the second day in a row on Thursday, which is only a day before he faces Alexander Zverev in the semi-finals of the 2025 Australian Open. In 2023, Djokovic had defied a hamstring injury to clinch the Australian Open.
According to a report in Express.co.uk, the injury to his left leg is similar in nature to the one that he sustained two years ago. Djokovic sustained the injury during his quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday. Djokovic seemed to be in pain during the first set against Alcaraz and asked for the trainer’s assistance.
He returned with heavy strapping on his upper left leg and also consumed painkillers , but the injury did not stop Djokovic from beating the Spaniard 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. Djokovic was also supposed to train on Wednesday, but the injury prevented him from doing so. Djokovic had booked Court 16 for a 90-minute practice session with his coach Andy Murray, but later cancelled the booking.
The report, however, adds that the 24-time Grand Slam champion has booked the same court for 1 pm local time on Friday, 90 minutes before his semi-final clash against Zverev gets underway.
Djokovic raised concerns about the injury after he defeated Alcaraz. “I’ll take it day by day. Now it’s really about recovery. I’m concerned. I am, to be honest, physically. But if I manage somehow to be physically good enough, I think mentally, emotionally I’m as motivated as I can be," he had said.
When Djokovic defied injury to win 2023 Australian Open
At the 2023 Australian Open, Djokovic had beaten Stefanos Tsitsipas with a scoreline of 6-3, 7-6 (7-4), 7-6 (7-5) in the final to clinch his 22nd Australian Open title. He later revealed how he mentally fought the injury to clinch the title.
“When I went into my box, I just think emotionally collapsed there and teared up with especially my mother and my brother when I gave them a hug, because up to that moment I was not allowing myself to, I guess, be distracted with things off the court or whatever was happening in dealing with an injury, things happening off the court, as well, that could easily have been a big disturbance to my focus and to my game,” Djokovic had said.
“It required an enormous mental energy really to stay present, to stay focused, to take things day by day, and really see how far I can go,” he had added. Djokovic is aiming for his 25th Grand Slam title, and his 11th Australian Open title in Melbourne.