Novak Djokovic will need to spend some time on the sidelines recovering from a muscle tear that hindered him in the later rounds of the Australian Open, the Serbian said as he celebrated his ninth Melbourne Park title on Monday.
The major milestones in Djokovic's career
Rafael Nadal warmed up for the French Open with a battling 7-5, 1-6, 6-3 win over world number one Novak Djokovic as the Spaniard claimed a record-extending 10th Italian Open title in Rome on Sunday in the latest chapter of their rivalry.
Tennis matches at the Ariake Tennis Park will begin from 3pm local time (0600 GMT) from Thursday, governing body International Tennis Federation said after requests from players who had struggled in the stifling weather.
Alcaraz, whose tournament so far has been typified by lapses in concentration and drops in intensity, was on the back foot as Medvedev clinched the first set in a tiebreak.
Novak Djokovic eased into the last four with a commanding performance over Japan's Kei Nishikori but world number two Daniil Medvedev bowed out of the men's singles at the Tokyo Olympics.
With Sunday's win, the world number one took his Grand Slam tally to 18, just two shy of Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's men's record of 20.
Jannik Sinner has sprinted past opponents at the Australian Open in his quest for a maiden Grand Slam but could end up running a marathon in the final against Daniil Medvedev on Sunday, when Melbourne Park will crown a new king.
The winners of the Serbia-Germany tie will join Spain, Russia and Italy in the semi-finals.
Novak Djokovic's ability to play his best tennis under pressure can help him win at least five more Grand Slam titles, John McEnroe said after the World No.1 tied Roger Federer and Rafael Nadal's record with his 20th major at Wimbledon on Sunday.
After a dominant start, Djokovic struggled in the second set and lost his temper even after closing it out.
Novak Djokovic and his wife Jelena have tested negative for COVID-19, nine days after returning a positive test, the world number one tennis player's media team said on Thursday. Djokovic, along with Grigor Dimitrov, Borna Coric and Viktor Troicki, tested positive after playing in the Adria Tour, an exhibition tournament organised by the 17-times Grand Slam champion.
Along with offering a trophy and spot in the tennis history books, the four Grand Slams also provide serious financial incentive for would-be champions.
Djokovic received a lot of heat from the tennis community and fans alike after testing positive.
Carlos sought tranquility in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, accompanied by his brother Alvaro and friends.
No sooner had Novak Djokovic claimed his 17th Grand Slam trophy by triumphing at the Australian Open for the eighth time on Sunday, the Serb was already setting himself a deadline to claim the record of major titles. Djokovic's 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 victory in a thriller over fifth seed Dominic Thiem drew him within three slams of Roger Federer's haul of 20 and two behind second-placed Rafa Nadal's 19.
Spanish tennis federation released a statement to clarify that tennis players were not allowed to return to courts until May 11, and were only permitted to conduct individual training outside.
To the clear delight of the fans, however, Djokovic then bounded onto the court after his practice partner had won the first set and proceeded to wrap up a 6-3, 6-3 win over the Italian teenager.
Alcaraz has been seen as fellow Spaniard Rafael Nadal's successor on the Paris clay.
Djokovic, seeking a record-extending ninth title in Melbourne, was cruising after winning the opening two sets of his third-round clash but a slip at 1-1 in the third set almost derailed his progress.
Images from Day 9 of Wimbledon at the All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in London, on Wednesday.
Novak Djokovic will be favourite to reach his 27th Grand Slam final when he faces Stefanos Tsitsipas in the French Open semis on Friday but what had been a smooth path through the draw has suddenly got a little rocky.
'I didn't know few hours before I stepped on the court tonight whether I'm gonna play or not.'
Djokovic will need to win in Tokyo and then the US Open later this year to achieve the feat that has so far only been accomplished by Steffi Graf in 1988.
Dominic Thiem and home crowd favourite Filip Krajinovic reached the final of Novak Djokovic's tournament as the world number one broke down in tears in front of a packed 4,000 crowd on Sunday. World number three Thiem beat Grigor Dimitrov in straight sets to set up the clash with Krajinovic.
Novak Djokovic's stunning disqualification from the US Open on Sunday for striking a line judge with a ball is the most difficult moment in his career, said his former coach Boris Becker.
Novak Djokovic is capable of extending his record for holding the men's World No. 1 ranking for most weeks to 400, said Russia's Daniil Medvedev who will climb up to a career-best ranking of second on Monday.
Carlos Alcaraz is the first man to defend a championship in the California desert since Novak Djokovic won three straight between 2014-2016.
Off-court distractions and a neck injury could not prevent Novak Djokovic from extending his winning run this year to 23 matches and the Serbian could not be in more intimidating form ahead of the US Open.
World number one Novak Djokovic saved three match points to beat France's Gael Monfils 2-6, 7-6(8), 6-1 on Friday as he set up a final showdown at the Dubai Open with Greek second seed Stefanos Tsitsipas. Djokovic is yet to lose this year and the Australian Open champion extended his unbeaten run in 2020 to 17 matches with what was also his 17th win over Monfils.
Eight-time Wimbledon champion Roger Federer, who turns 40 this year, takes on Frenchman Adrian Mannarino in round one.
The world number one had arrived in Tokyo aiming to become the first man to win all four majors and an Olympic gold medal in the same calendar year. But that quest came to an end after he was beaten by fifth-ranked German Alexander Zverev in Friday's semi-final.
After winning the US Open title on Sunday, Novak Djokovic pulled out a T-shirt with 'Mamba Forever' on the front and the number 24 on the back.
Images from Day 8 of the 2021 US Open in New York on Monday.
Novak Djokovic has no intention of passing the torch to the next generation just yet.
Novak Djokovic endured a fierce challenge to his Melbourne Park reign before overhauling Dominic Thiem 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4 on Sunday to clinch an eighth Australian Open crown and reclaim the world number one ranking. He captured the decisive break in the third game of the final set, then held firm as Thiem made desperate assaults on his serve. Going for broke in a nerve-shredding final game, the fifth seeded Austrian went for the lines but missed twice to hand Djokovic one of his most hard-earnt triumphs.
It was only 13-time champion Rafael Nadal's third defeat here since his debut in 2005 and the first time in 115 best-of-five-set matches on clay that he had lost after taking the opening set.
Osaka will play Jennifer Brady for the title.
Jannik Sinner was not about to announce the end of the "Big Three" after his breakthrough Grand Slam triumph at the Australian Open but the 22-year-old Italian does believe tennis needs a fresh generation of champions.
Novak Djokovic cruised past Germany's Jan-Lennard Struff 6-3, 6-1 on Wednesday to reach a record-equalling eighth Western & Southern Open semi-final in New York where he will face Spaniard Roberto Bautista Agut.
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