Novak Djokovic: ‘That is how they portray me’

Novak Djokovic came under physical pressure once again at the Australian Open on Saturday but found a way to keep his quest for a 10th title alive at Melbourne Park. Struggling with the hamstring injury that has plagued him since Adelaide, Djokovic looked uncomfortable during his clash with Grigor Dimitrov. However, the Serb deepened and defeated the 27th seed 7-6(7), 6-3, 6-4 to reach the fourth round. “Every point and game mattered,” Djokovic said. “The turning point for both players was early on. Getting an early break was important. I didn’t know how I was going to feel physically. It was going up and down. Grigor is someone I really admire and respect.” He is one of my best friends on Tour. We have known each other for a long time. He is one of the most talented players you will see. He is a great athlete.” In a close clash, the former World No. 1 rushed to win the opening set, saving three set points before converting his fifth set point with a diving forehand volley. After winning the set, the 35-year-old rose to his feet and was given a medical timeout, with coach Goran Ivanisevic looking concerned. Despite his hamstring issue, Djokovic remained calm and steadfast in his task on the court, playing consistently to seal the second and third sets. The fourth seed, who hit 28 winners and committed 22 unforced errors, was handed a second medical timeout at 4-1 in the third set. However, Djokovic returned to the court where he was able to finish the job, winning a series of grueling exchanges in his final service game to win. Djokovic will now play Australian Alex de Minaur.

Djokovic has made his fury 

Novak Djokovic has made his fury with the tennis media clear after they misrepresented him. “In our organisation–ATP or WTA–there has to be a system of timely protection of players, someone who will react, do something about these things. I am an easy target to be the villain. That is how they portray me, for me that is now a normal occurrence–but I will not tolerate injustice,” he said. “Some things I can tolerate, some I cannot–they do not deserve for something like this to just be allowed, to get away with it. Usually I don’t react, even though I could have reacted a thousand times over different things in the past,” he said.