Novak Djokovic reveals injury nearly forced retirement during ‘epic’ win over Carlos Alcaraz
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The 24-time grand slam champion fought through the issue to complete a four-set victory over Alcaraz. Novak Djokovic has revealed that he was almost forced to retire from his “epic” quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz at the Australian Open. Djokovic secured victory in a thrilling last eight clash in four sets, fighting back from a set down while battling an injury.
![[Novak Djokovic beat Carlos Alcaraz after a sensational quarter-final battle]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/21/14/GettyImages-2195090297.jpg)
The 24-time grand slam champion took an injury timeout at the end of the first set as Alcaraz nudged in front and appeared in severe discomfort, but roared back to take the match in a vintage performance. But the 37-year-old Serb contemplated not continuing at all as Alcaraz threatened to build a two-set advantage, with only his resurgence in levelling the match encouraging him to keep playing.
![[Novak Djokovic received medical attention during the encounter]](https://static.independent.co.uk/2025/01/21/11/GettyImages-2195056597.jpg)
“Since I am still in the tournament, I don’t want to reveal too much,” Djokovic explained of the injury in his on-court interview after victory was sealed. “The medication started to kick in. That helped, no doubt. I had to take another dose. “If I’d lost that second set, I don’t know if I’d have continued playing. [But] I felt better and better and managed to play a great couple of games at the end of the second set. Then I saw that Carlos was hesitant a little bit at the back of the court and I took my chances, started to feel better and move better.
“It didn’t bother me or create any hindrance towards the end of the match. When the medication starts to release, I’ll see what the reality is tomorrow morning. Right now I am just trying to be in the moment and enjoy this victory. It’s one of the most epic matches that I’ve played on any court.”.
