Novak Djokovic has taken the Australian Open by storm. With a display of his unmatched on-court prowess, the ‘King of Melbourne Park’ has now reached the quarterfinals, outclassing some of the big names. Though there is a lot of excitement around Djokovic’s campaign, there are also some concerns over his fitness levels.
The Serbian tennis star recently pulled off back-to-back bagel sets against Adrian Mannarino in his fourth-round match. While dominating the match, the 24-time singles Grand Slam champion appeared a bit worn out, sparking the question among tennis fans: Is Novak Djokovic injured at the Australian Open?
There is skepticism surrounding Novak Djokovic’s fitness levels at the Australian Open
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The Australian tennis veteran Paul McNamee recently shed light on how Novak Djokovic appeared ‘really struggling physically’ during his fourth-round encounter against the Frenchman, Adrian Mannarino. He tweeted, “Novak is up a break, but gee he’s really struggling physically… not looking well at all… mm”
Novak is up a break, but gee he’s really struggling physically… not looking well at all… mm
— 🎗️ Paul McNamee (@PaulFMcNamee) January 21, 2024
However, a fan expressed disapproval by saying, “Looks fine to me – geez, just took that set reasonably easily.” It received a quick response from McNamee, who commented, “‘Looks fine’? 🤨”
‘Looks fine’? 🤨
— 🎗️ Paul McNamee (@PaulFMcNamee) January 21, 2024
The fan went on to refute the statements made by the former world No. 1 doubles player, stating that Nole appears fine. She commented, “I’m not seeing anything wrong but I’m not there ..” McNamee replied by saying, “Well, those just watching the scores, they’d agree 😉”
Well those just watching the scores, they’d agree 😉
— 🎗️ Paul McNamee (@PaulFMcNamee) January 21, 2024
Another fan flocked to the comment section as she asserted that the 36-year-old player looked ‘pasty’ on the court. She stated, “He looks so pasty and seems to breathing hard…but he score is 4-0”
He looks so pasty and seems to breathing hard…but he score is 4-0
— Elizabeth Burns (@eburns24_burns) January 21, 2024
After his prolonged first-round encounter in Melbourne, the Serb disclosed that he felt “under the weather” as he locked horns with ATP teenager Dino Prizmic. Notably, one user commented, “He’s still under the weather. Saw him coughing as well, so that’s something that affects his breathing and endurance for sure. When you’ve been such for like 7 days or more it affect your physical condition after that. Commentators said is humid under the roof.”
He's still under the weather. Saw him coughing as well, so that's something that affects his breathing and endurance for sure. When you've been such for like 7 days or more it affect your physical condition after that.
Commentators said is humid under the roof.— cestlaviemacher (@cestlaviemacher) January 21, 2024
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While there was a lot of skepticism surrounding his fitness levels, Djokovic outclassed Mannarino at the Rod Laver Arena. The Serb will now lock horns with either Taylor Fritz or Stefanos Tsitsipas in the quarterfinals of the Australian Open.
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Do you think that the Serbian tennis star is struggling with his fitness levels at the Australian Open? Let us know in the comments section.
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