Mystery surrounds Novak Djokovic’s ‘injury’ after play begins against Milos Raonic

Novak Djokovic is through to the quarter finals after defeating Canadian Milos Raonic at the Australian Open on Sunday night.

The incredible upset almost didn’t happen as fans worried the World No. 1 had sustained a serious ‘stomach injury’ after his match against American Taylor Fritz on Friday.

But not even an abdominal strain could stop the Serb who said that despite having very little ‘preparation’ before the match he was looking forward to the next game against Alexander Zverev.

‘There was no preparation for this match. Every single hour I’ve had since the match against Taylor has been used to recover,’ he said.

‘I have definitely been fitter in the past. I’m taking each day at a time. More important than training right now is recovery.

‘If it was any other tour than a Grand Slam I would retire, but because it’s a Grand Slam I want to give my best. I cannot complain because I won the match against a great player.’

Earlier on Sunday Djokovic criticised photographers who chose to sit down in the empty grandstands to shoot his game against Raonic, saying ‘it’s not their place’.

The World No. 1 wasted no time asking for a last-minute seating change at Rod Laver Arena calling out to the umpire and asking the photographers to be moved.

‘Why are the photographers standing behind? It’s not their place. They’re supposed to be out there or on the side,’ Djokovic said.

Commentator Todd Woodbridge fired back at the Serbian athlete, feeling as though it was of little importance to the game.   

‘They’ve been sitting there all day for every match that’s been here since the start of today and probably yesterday as well,’ he said.

‘You hear Novak saying “they’re not allowed to sit there, they’ve got to sit on the side of the court” but given the circumstances, they can be in any part of the arena to take a photograph today.’ 

Djokovic on Friday was seen crouching over in pain after suffering a tear in an abdominal muscle in his third round victory over American Taylor Fritz.

The 33-year-old staged a miraculous recovery in the decider, having gurned his way through losing sets three and four following a nasty slip behind the baseline. 

But early in the first set on Sunday night, Djokovic’s injury didn’t appear to be causing him any pain.

‘He (Djokovic) is on edge at the moment, coming off that injury cloud as well. He is playing a dangerous opponent tonight who can take the racquet out of his hand as well,’ commentator and tennis legend Lleyton Hewitt said.  

On Sunday at about 5pm, just hours before the match, he was seen training inside the gym at Melbourne Park. 

Then at 7:05pm footage was aired of Djokovic warming up on John Cain Arena, where he reportedly didn’t want TV cameras to film him. 

‘He’s going to be fine,’ commentator Todd Woodbridge said. 

‘I’d say the rest of the field, watch out, because we’ve seen him do these types of things before – have a bit of a hiccup and still win majors.’ 

Australian tennis star John Millman called Djokovic’s ailment a ‘mystery ailment’.  

Djokovic has long been plagued by injury, resulting in him retiring hurt 14 times over the course of his career.  

Djokovic was forced to withdraw from his 2019 fourth-round US Open match against Stan Wawrinka due to a shoulder injury.