Djokovic planned to rest up and skip practice after requiring several painkillers and strapping for an apparent hamstring injury during his fighting four-set quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz on Tuesday night.
While declining to "go into details" about the exact nature of the injury, the 37-year-old said it was similar to the hamstring tear he carried through his epic run to a 10th Open title in 2023.
"I haven't done any tests. I mean, I've done tests with the physio when they took me off the court, when I had the medical timeout," Djokovic said.
� Highlights from the epic Melbourne 2025 chapter of the Djokovic-Alcaraz rivalry � — #AusOpen (@AustralianOpen) pic.twitter.com/xNl7L9nh7gJanuary 22, 2025
"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."
The former world No.1 also had to overcome the Tony Jones saga to focus on the Alcaraz threat but said he's become accustomed to dealing with controversies during Australian Open campaigns.
The Serb won his ninth crown in Melbourne in 2021 after enduring 14 nights in quarantine during the coronavirus pandemic, was booted out of Australia on the eve of the 2022 tournament - after being held in detention - for not having a visa and revealed a 3cm hamstring tear after triumphing in 2023. Â Â Â
"I've experienced (drama) a few times in my career. Experience helps of understanding how to face adversity and draw the right necessary strength and energy that you feed off in order to win a tennis match, to win a tournament," Djokovic said.
"Yeah, I don't recall the last time it 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."
Novak Djokovic says he's used to some form of controversy during grand slam tournaments. (Joel Carrett/AAP PHOTOS)
The 24-times grand slam champion said he was proud with how he coped against Alcaraz but now his title chances were all about managing his injury ahead of Friday's semi-final against Alexander Zverev. Â
"It's definitely going to be challenging from every aspect," Djokovic said.
"I'm playing Zverev, who is in a great form, and he is going for his first grand slam. He's been close. I've seen him play. I practised with him as well here.
"He loves the conditions. He's got big serve. He's super dangerous opponent on this surface against anyone.
"The extra day with no match comes at a good time.
"I will try to do as much as I possibly can with my recovery team, with my physio the next few days.
"I'll take it day by day. Now it's really about recovery. I'm concerned, to be honest, physically.
"But if I manage somehow to be physically good enough, I think mentally, emotionally I'm as motivated as I can be."
