NEW YORK — Novak Djokovic believes his tennis continues to be adequate to compete for a twenty fifth Grand Slam title.
It is his physique that has to point out it could actually maintain up.
Djokovic shook off a again downside early within the match to beat Cam Norrie on Friday evening and, at 38, turn into the oldest man to achieve the fourth spherical of the U.S. Open since Jimmy Connors was the identical age in 1991.
Djokovic pulled away to win 6-4, 6-7 (4), 6-2, 6-3, helped by hitting 18 aces in what he stated was his greatest serving efficiency of a event wherein he wanted therapy for a blister on his large toe within the first spherical and for his again within the third.
“The damage and tear on the physique all these years is taking a toll, and I’m conscious of it, however I’m resisting it,” Djokovic stated. “I’m making an attempt to do my greatest to nonetheless be on the market competing with the younger guys within the highest degree.”
The 24-time Grand Slam champion appeared in jeopardy of matching his earliest exit in Flushing Meadows when he wanted medical consideration close to the top of the primary set. However he recovered to achieve the final 16 of a significant for the 69th time, matching Roger Federer for many ever, and can subsequent face German qualifier Jan-Lennard Struff.
“It’s simply incredible how good he’s taking part in,” Struff stated. “He exhibits us all that you would be able to play lengthy tennis and really, excellent tennis at his age.”
It was throughout some extent at 5-3 within the first set that Djokovic raised his racket awkwardly to achieve a volley and instantly confirmed indicators that every one was not properly. He started making an attempt to stretch his again between factors and barely ran for one ball that Norrie hit towards a nook.
After that, Djokovic indicated to the chair umpire that he needed a go to from a coach, and shortly was strolling to the locker room for a medical timeout, clutching at his decrease left again. Djokovic returned to the court docket quickly and held serve to take the opening set.
On the changeover at 2-1 within the second set, Djokovic received a again therapeutic massage whereas seated on the sideline and likewise was given tablets by a physician. He went on to lose that set and get damaged within the first recreation of the third earlier than swinging the match again in his favor.
It is the third time at a Grand Slam event this season that Djokovic has been hampered after getting harm throughout a match. On the Australian Open in January, he tore a hamstring and was unable to proceed after one set of his semifinal in opposition to Alexander Zverev.
At Wimbledon in July, Djokovic took an ungainly fall within the final recreation of his quarterfinal victory, tweaking his groin muscle, and whereas he stayed within the bracket there, he was clearly compromised throughout a semifinal loss in opposition to eventual champion Jannik Sinner.
“It’s irritating for me, truthfully, that I’m not in a position to really feel 100% all the time like I’ve for 20-plus years,” Djokovic stated. “However yeah, I suppose the circumstances are fairly totally different and I’ve to get used to the truth that each match there’s one thing which may occur because it has been the case this 12 months just about each Slam.”
The U.S. Open was Djokovic’s first event since then and he is had some struggles in every of his first three matches.
“My staff needs me to endure on the court docket so I can get extra minutes of match play,” he joked.
