Novak Djokovic believes his injury is similar to 2023 as defeated Alcaraz dismisses time-out conspiracy theory

Novak Djokovic admits he is concerned by the mystery injury he sustained in his incredible four-set quarterfinal win over Carlos Alcaraz.

A concerned Novak Djokovic says he doesn’t know what physical state he’ll be in for the semi-finals as he deals with a mystery leg injury.

The 10-time Australian Open champion suffered the “accident” late in the first set and admitted he was surprised at how well the leg recovered during his incredible victory over Carlos Alcaraz which he described as one of the best of his career.

He now faces No.2 seed Alexander Zverev on Friday with the extra days rest crucial for his recovery.

“l’ll take it day by day. Now it’s really about recovery and I’m concerned. I am, to be honest, physically,” Djokovic said. “But if I manage somehow to, yeah, be physically good enough, I think mentally, emotionally I’m as motivated as I can be.”

Novak Djokovic is as motived as he can be heading into the semis at Melbourne Park. Picture: Clive Brunskill/Getty Images

The 37-year-old revealed the injury issue is similar to what he dealt with in 2023 when he carried a three centimetre tear in his left hamstring throughout the tournament yet still won the title.

“I’m not going to go into details but it’s very similar to what I had a few years ago. 2023, to be exact but I haven’t done any tests obviously,” he said.

“I mean, I’ve done tests with the physio when they took me off the court, when I had the medical time-out. He strapped me, and then the doctor gave me some medication, so forth, some painkillers.

“That kicked in after 20, 30 minutes. It did help. Then I had to take another dose I think in the beginning of the fourth.

Djokovic reacts from an injury while playing against Carlos Alcaraz during their quarterfinal match. Picture: DAVID GRAY / AFP

“Now that it’s cooling off, I can start to feel different things.I don’t know what’s going to happen in the next few days, but I’m hoping for the best.”

Djokovic, who is seeking his 25th career grand slam, said he was used to dealing with adversity whether that be an injury or the controversy in the lead-up to his quarter-final match over his banning of Channel 9 and host Tony Jones.

“I think I’ve experienced that few times in my career,” he said. “Experience helps understanding how to face adversity and draw, I guess, the right necessary strength and energy that you feed off in order to win a tennis match, to win a tournament.

Djokovic greets on-court interviewer Jim Courier after his quarterfinal win. Picture: Hannah Peters/Getty Images

“I don’t recall the last time there was any slam without some form of drama, to be honest. I guess that’s part of it. We are out here competing and giving our best to grab a grand slam title.

“A lot of things happen on the way. That’s okay. I’m just pleased with the way I was able to play throughout the entire tournament, including tonight, against one of the best players, one of the two or three best players in the word in the last three, four years.

“It’s just a great win. I’m very proud of it.”

‘OBVIOUSLY HE WAS STRUGGLING’: ALCARAZ DISMISSES DJOKER INJURY CONSPIRACY

Magnanimous in defeat, Carlos Alcaraz was refusing to buy into any conspiracy theories that Novak Djokovic had faked injury in their epic quarterfinal at the Australian Open on Tuesday night.

While veteran television commentator John McEnroe publicly questioned whether Djokovic was really injured when he called for a medical time-out after losing the first set, Alcaraz said he could see his opponent was clearly hampered for part of the match.

“I think everybody saw in the second set he’s struggling a little bit,” Alcaraz said.

“I don’t know if it was more running to the forehand or running to backhand, but obviously he was struggling. Then the third and fourth set, I didn’t see anything bad from him.

“I’m not saying he made a show. I’m just saying that… it’s obvious. Everybody saw that he’s struggling in the second set, then the third and fourth set he showed he was really good.”

Sixteen years younger than his Serbian opponent, Alcaraz, 21, said he made the fatal mistake of allowing himself to be distracted by Djokovic’s injury.

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz falls on the court in his quarterfinal defeat to Novak Djokovic. Picture: WILLIAM WEST / AFP

Instead of focusing on his own game after winning the opening set, Alcaraz said he began to look for ways to exploit Djokovic’s ailment in the second, but the tactic backfired.

Djokovic took the second set and once he was back on level terms, he seized the momentum and steamed away to record a 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4 victory.

“Honestly, I felt like I was controlling the match and I let him get into the match again. That was the biggest mistake that I made,” Alcaraz said.

“I had to push him a little bit more just to the limit, and I didn’t do it. After that, I think he started to feel better and playing such a great level. That was my biggest mistake

“When you see someone that is struggling physically a little bit, it’s kind of you not playing the same level. It seems like it’s going to be easier.

“At the same time in your mind you’re thinking, Okay, I have not to make mistakes. Probably you’re not hitting the ball at the same way that you’re hitting before. I think that’s it.”

Despite being schooled by the GOAT, Alcaraz said he still learnt a valuable lesson that he hopes will help him with the Australian Open in the near future.

Spain's Carlos Alcaraz attends a press conference following his defeat by Serbia's Novak Djokovic. Picture: DAVID GRAY / AFP

The youngest man in history to reach the No. 1 ranking, Alcaraz has already won Wimbledon twice and the French Open and US Open so only needs to win in Melbourne to complete the career grand slam.

“I’m playing great matches,” he said. “Every time that we play against each other… we push each other to the limit.

“We’ve played great points, great rallies. It was really tight in the third, the fourth set. I mean, the whole match.

“I’m just lucky to live this experience. I’m 21 years old. From these matches, I’m getting so much experience about how to deal with everything.

“I’m not going to hide. I’ve done great things in tennis already, but playing against one of the best in history of our sport, these kind of matches help me a lot in the future to be better.

“So I’m leaving Australia with my head up.”

Originally published as Novak Djokovic believes his injury is similar to 2023 as defeated Alcaraz dismisses time-out conspiracy theory