Australian Open 2021 - Novak Djokovic's bid for Australian Open record in danger with injury

Novak Djokovic's bid for a record ninth Australian Open hangs in the balance as he battles for fitness in time for Sunday's round of 16 clash against Milos Raonic. Djokovic fought through five sets to beat Taylor Fritz but looked far from his best as he grapples with a potentially tournament-ending injury.

The Australian Open rolls on amid a Melbourne lockdown, but the tournament risks losing its greatest champion in the first week as fans wait to hear if Novak Djokovic will be fit to play on Sunday.

Djokovic suffered a muscle tear in his third-round, five-set epic against Taylor Fritz, and the world number one skipped practice on Saturday in a bid to recover in time to resume his quest for a record-extending ninth title at Melbourne Park.

Withdrawing from the tournament would be devastating for the defending champion who has won 17 Grand Slams in all, especially after his fourth-round disqualification in the U.S. Open last year when he accidentally hit a ball at a line judge.

Olympic Games Paris 2024

Djokovic hoping to find 'best level' as he talks Olympic, French Open ambitions

23/04/2024 at 08:41

• 'The biggest victory is my back is better' - Nadal serves ominous warning
• Australian Open schedule and results

"I don't know if I'll manage to recover from that in less than two days. I don't know (if) I'm going to step out on to the court or not," Djokovic said after a match with Fritz.

His next opponent, Canadian Milos Raonic, may not complain however, having lost all 11 times he has played Djokovic, the most recent being the final of the rescheduled Cincinnati tournament last August.

Third seed Dominic Thiem may have hoped to have the crowd back on his side after dispatching home favourite Nick Kyrgios in a five-set thriller, but instead he will face Bulgarian Grigor Dimitrov in an empty Rod Laver Arena.

Was this the moment Djokovic’s AO defence came to an end?

An action-packed women's schedule will have U.S. Open champion Naomi Osaka take on two-times Grand Slam winner Garbine Muguruza - the first time the pair have met on court - while Serena Williams is up against feisty Belarusian Aryna Sabalenka.

Romanian second seed Simona Halep, seeking her first hard court major, will be tested by reigning French Open champion Iga Swiatek, who has yet to drop a set at the tournament.

Tennis

Madrid Open: Are Nadal, Djokovic, Alcaraz and Raducanu playing?

24/04/2024 at 08:40

ATP Monte Carlo

‘Not a great season’ - Djokovic reacts to Monte Carlo loss, as Ruud says 'he's human'

13/04/2024 at 22:26

ATP Monte Carlo

'In a state of shock' - Ruud upsets Djokovic to make Monte Carlo final for first time

13/04/2024 at 19:36