Novak Djokovic undergoes scans, didn't practice on Saturday

• Tennis News
• Novak Djokovic

World No. 1 Novak Djokovic underwent scans and didn't practice on Saturday a day after being hampered by a side injury during his third round clash at the Australian Open. Djokovic, a record eight-time Australian Open champion, was far from his best on Friday but he managed to beat Taylor Fritz in five sets 7-6 (1) 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-2.

Per ESPN update on (1) Novak Djokovic did not practice on Saturday & had scans done on his injury #AusOpen — John Horn (@SportsHorn) February 13, 2021

"It’s a huge relief to pull this one through in these kinds of conditions I found myself in ...

it was one of a kind type of match, for me, that’s what I said on the court, and I really mean it," Djokovic said in his on court interview after the match. "Obviously I don’t want to talk about the intensity, or the level of injury, or the pain, it’s not going to matter much because people don’t understand what you go through on the court."

Djokovic was worried

Djokovic survived a tricky Fritz challenge but he acknowledged that he may not be able to play his round-of-16 match against Milos Raonic.

“I’m obviously very, very proud of this but at the same time also a bit worried because I don’t know what’s going on and I think it’s a tear," Djokovic said. I had a kind of weird feeling on one of the returns just before I got a medical time out and I knew right away that something not so great is happening.

“It was confirmed by a physio from the ATP, but let’s see. I don’t know. I don’t have a great experience with tears in terms of continuing in the tournament, so that’s something which is kind of in the clouds for me at the moment, whether I’m going to step out on the court in two days.

“Hopefully, god-willing I’ll be able to play”. It remains to be seen if top-seeded Djokovic will be able to play against Raonic.