Novak Djokovic received unexpected support at the “Australian Open“ tennis tournament and will not play his match in the fourth round, which was scheduled for tomorrow – the last on the schedule, BTA reported.
Djokovic has qualified directly to the quarterfinals after his opponent Jakub Menšík (Czech Republic) announced that he is withdrawing from the competition due to injury. It turns out that the Czech has a problem with an abdominal muscle and this does not allow him to continue in the first tournament of the year from the “Grand Slam“.
20-year-old Menšík posted on Instagram: “It is difficult to write this. "After doing everything we could to continue, I have to withdraw from the Australian Open due to an abdominal muscle injury that has progressed over the last few matches."
“After a long discussion with my team and doctors, we have decided not to step on court tomorrow.“This is a devastating blow for Mensik, who is one of the most promising young men's players and has reached this stage for the first time in a Grand Slam tournament.”Although I am disappointed, reaching the fourth round here for the first time is something I will carry with me for a long time. I felt so much energy from the fans and the atmosphere in Melbourne was really special.“
The news comes at a time when Djokovic - now 38 - has felt physically exhausted in recent major tournaments after reaching the final stages. However, he has not lost a set here yet and will have an extra day to rest. In the third round, he defeated Botik van de Zandschulp (Netherlands) in three sets 6:3, 6:4, 7:6 (7:4).