Djokovic’s faith can be the difference against historically crumbling Zverev
Share:
World No 7 is not fully fit but has mental edge in semi-final over opponent who has repeatedly cowered under pressure. Even before he had undergone medical tests, defined the nature of his physical ailment and planned for his recovery, Novak Djokovic knew what was in store for him in the days after his remarkable quarter-final victory over Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday, which he pulled off despite struggling with left thigh pain.
![[Tumaini Carayol]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/uploads/2022/03/01/Tumaini_Carayol_v2.png?width=75&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Just as he suggested post-match, Djokovic has not been present on the practice courts at Melbourne Park for Friday’s semi-final with Alexander Zverev. After being absent from the practice schedule on Wednesday, his scheduled 2pm training session had been wiped from the list on Thursday morning.
![[Alexander Zverev serves to Jacob Fearnley during their men’s third round match at the Australian Open]](https://i.guim.co.uk/img/media/8de7f35659b7670614a767c23423737ae2df0ca8/0_60_6048_3824/master/6048.jpg?width=445&dpr=1&s=none&crop=none)
Andy Murray declined to speak with the media between matches, meaning there has been no news from Djokovic’s camp. With so little time to recover, maintaining muscle memory on-court is the least of Djokovic’s issues. The time has been devoted to his recovery.
He will need to be as close to optimal condition against another one of the best players in the world. While the occasion does not have the historic significance of facing a multiple grand slam champion and future legend like Alcaraz, Zverev, the second seed, is an experienced, successful and continues position himself at the deep end of most major tournaments.
The first meeting between the pair occurred eight years ago when a 20-year-old Zverev toppled Djokovic in the final of the Rome Masters, something that further reflects Djokovic’s historic longevity. Although 10 years separate them in age, Djokovic has remained at the top of the game long enough to see Zverev evolve from a young upstart into a veteran.
