Novak Djokovic makes worrying fitness confession after injury scare during epic French Open Houdini act

Novak Djokovic had admitted he is unsure he will “be able to step out on the court and play” due to the knee injury that nearly forced him to throw in the towel during his fourth-round French Open match.

The defending Roland Garros champion was involved in a titanic battle with Francisco Cerundolo as the Argentine dominated the early exchanges and looked set for a major upset as he was up two sets to one and also opened a 4-2 lead in the fourth.

But Djokovic pulled off yet another brilliant escape as he somehow emerged with a 6-1, 5-7, 3-6, 7-5, 6-3 win in four hours and 39 minutes.

But the win was also marred by concerns over his right knee, which has been bothering him for several weeks, as he aggravated the injury during a fall in the second set.

At one point it looked like he would quit against Cerundolo, but stuck it out and now has to wait for scans before deciding if he will play in the next round.

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The 24-time Grand Slam winner also questioned the slippery courts in Paris.

“Today I injured myself. I survived. I won the match. Great. But will I be able to play next one? I don’t know,” he said.

“I don’t know the severity of the injury. But could have this injury be prevented? Possibly, if there was just a little bit more of frequent care of the court during the set.”

The world No 1 added: “At one point I didn’t know, to be honest, whether I should continue or not with what’s happening. I got the medications, and then after the third set was done, I asked for more medications, and I got them.

“That was the maximum dose that kicked in, as I heard from the doctor after 30 to 45 minutes, which was just about the time [at the] end of the fourth [set] when things started to really improve for me. I started to feel less limitations in my movement.

“Basically the whole fifth set was almost without any pain, which is great. But then the effect of the medications will not last for too long, so I’ll see. I guess we’ll do some more screening and tests and check-ups.

“We have done some with the doctor right after the match. Some positive news but also maybe some concerns, so let’s see tomorrow. I can’t tell you more about it at the moment.

“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow, or after tomorrow if I’ll be able to step out on the court and play. You know, I hope so. Let’s see what happens.”

It remains to be seen if he will play in the quarter-final, but if he does step on the court he will face seventh seed Casper Ruud after the Norwegian defeated Taylor Fritz in four sets.

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