Novak Djokovic He was surprised to learn that he had to play his Australian Open quarterfinal match in a daytime session. Accustomed to his 7 pm schedule, he publicly informed the organization that this was what he liked. His request did not take effect, because the organization (that is, the country’s tennis federation) looked after his interests and sent the ten-time champion to an oven.
As of Tuesday, Melbourne has adopted the oppressive heat and humidity that often marks its days in a tournament this year with a milder thermometer. Temperatures around 30º C returned, much to the annoyance of Serbians, who always suffer when the sun shines.
Members of his technical team also suffered. They had to endure their student’s reprimands, loudly from his seat. Seeing nothing in his bag, he scolded his people from afar. A way to spread the pressure a contender must face for a 25th Grand Slam title. Highest demand.
If we add to the external elements the resistance put up by the American in almost three hours Taylor Fritzyou understand the ordeal that happened Djokovic. He came out alive, because experience goes a long way, as does class. And that the adversary did not have the same arguments or weapons to endure such an overwhelming battle for so long.
Djokovic reacted superbly when he felt at the limit. Very typical of him. Look for enemies even when there aren’t any. This time he had them, he released the tension by facing them. Of course, it accumulates more physical damage. It’s 3h.45′ of the world number one, 36 years old, to lose Fritz26 years old and number 12, ni 7-6 (3), 4-6, 6-2 and 6-3.
On Friday he will play in his eleventh Australian Open semifinals, a round in which he went undefeated in Melbourne. There have been 48 Grand Slams. Against the Italian Jannik Sinner or Russian Andrey Rublev, which will close the day this Tuesday, local evening.
Djokovicpersistent, had to wait for the sixteenth break point to break the American’s serve, for 2-0 in the third set, after a long journey of 84 minutes that lasted the first set, Fritz’s great reaction in the second.
A ‘good match’ worried Djokovic, although he knew he would find a way, as he always did against Fritz, whom he lost for the ninth time. For ‘Nole’ it is nothing new to fight against everything and everyone, maintaining an eternal level of excellence as long as necessary. His rival, no, was even clearer.
Djokovic has struggled more than necessary at this Open, and in three of his five matches he has dropped a set. A physical and emotional exhaustion that will add to the difficulties in his attempt to continue reigning in Melbourne. He was surrounded by wolves: Sinner and Alcaraz, among them.
Source: La Verdad
I’m Robert Maynard, and I am a passionate journalist with experience in sports writing. For the last few years, I have been writing for Today Times Live. My main focus has been on sports-related stories and features. With my strong background in journalism and extensive knowledge of the industry, I am able to provide readers with well-crafted pieces that are both informative and engaging.
