Advertisements
Novak Djokovic fought through injury and exhaustion to secure a dramatic five-set victory over Francisco Cerundolo in the fourth round of the French Open on Monday. The 37-year-old Serbian player, who is pursuing his 25th Grand Slam title, managed to come back from a two-sets-to-one deficit to win 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3. This victory marked Djokovic’s 370th Grand Slam match win, surpassing Roger Federer.
Djokovic started strong, dominating the first set 6-1, but his momentum was interrupted in the second set when he injured his right knee. He required medical timeouts four times during the match to address the knee issue. Despite this, Djokovic showed resilience, refusing to give up even as he faced significant physical challenges and found himself trailing in the fourth set.
Advertisements
The match followed another grueling five-setter against Lorenzo Musetti, which had ended in the early hours of Sunday morning. The physical toll of back-to-back marathon matches was evident as Djokovic struggled with his movement and complained about the court conditions, which he felt contributed to his injury.
In the second set, Cerundolo took advantage of Djokovic’s impaired mobility, leveling the match. Djokovic voiced his frustrations about the court to the tournament supervisor, highlighting the slipperiness that he believed caused his injury. Despite these challenges, Djokovic continued to fight, and Cerundolo’s inability to maintain his advantage allowed Djokovic to recover.
Cerundolo went up 3-0 in the third set, capitalizing on Djokovic’s visible fatigue. However, Djokovic, known for his mental toughness, did not let the situation overwhelm him. He clawed his way back, breaking Cerundolo’s serve at crucial moments. When Cerundolo was up 4-2 in the fourth set, it seemed Djokovic might be on the brink of defeat, but he held his serve to level the match at 6-5 and eventually won the set 7-5.
The fifth set saw Djokovic regain some of his earlier form. Despite another fall and continued issues with his knee, he managed to dive for a volley, demonstrating his unyielding determination. Djokovic’s remarkable comeback in the final two sets showcased his resilience and ability to perform under pressure, securing his place in the quarterfinals for the 15th consecutive time at Roland Garros.
After the match, Djokovic expressed his gratitude to the crowd in fluent French, acknowledging their support as a crucial factor in his victory. He now faces a rematch with Casper Ruud, whom he defeated in last year’s final, as he continues his quest for another Grand Slam title.
Djokovic’s journey in this tournament has been marked by intense physical and mental battles. His ability to overcome significant adversity, including back-to-back five-set matches and a knee injury, underscores his legendary status in tennis. The win over Cerundolo not only adds to his impressive record at the French Open but also exemplifies his tenacity and competitive spirit.
As Djokovic advances, the tennis world watches to see if he can maintain his form and manage his injury in the upcoming rounds. His match against Ruud will be another test of his resilience and skill, with the Serbian star aiming to further extend his Grand Slam record.