Djokovic’s Injury Challenge: Australian Open Men’s Semifinals Preview

Vegas Tennis Team
6 Min Read

MELBOURNE, Australia — It often feels like there’s a whirlwind of excitement surrounding Novak Djokovic during Grand Slam events, and that perception is spot on. As he readied himself for a highly anticipated semifinal showdown against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open on Friday, Djokovic admitted he has become accustomed to the drama. He was managing discomfort in his left leg, relying on painkillers as he approached the match.

“I can’t recall a Grand Slam that hasn’t had some sort of spectacle,” reflected the 37-year-old champion. “That’s part of the game. We compete fiercely for that Grand Slam title,” he noted after a gripping quarterfinal victory over 21-year-old Carlos Alcaraz, which felt more like a final, marked by his need for a medical timeout and leg taping.

“Things always unfold unexpectedly,” he added, referencing a recent spat with a local TV commentator who took a jab at him on-air. “That’s part of the experience.”

While he didn’t disclose the exact nature of his leg injury, Djokovic indicated that it bears a strong resemblance to the issue he faced during the Australian Open in 2023, when he battled a troublesome left hamstring … and ultimately hoisted the trophy.

In the other men’s semifinal, the spotlight falls on the defending champion, No. 1 ranked Jannik Sinner, a 23-year-old Italian who has been on an impressive 19-match winning streak. He will face off against 22-year-old American Ben Shelton, making his second major semifinal appearance.

Djokovic’s strategy for recovery, following an intense match against Alcaraz that concluded just before 1 a.m., will play a crucial role in determining how fit he feels when he steps onto Rod Laver Arena to take on the No. 2-seeded Zverev, who is also 27 years old.

“My goal is to be physically agile and ready to engage in a five-set battle,” Djokovic expressed as he aims for an astonishing 11th Australian Open title and a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam singles victory, all while being coached by his former rival Andy Murray for the first time. “I don’t foresee any mental or emotional hurdles facing Zverev or struggling to find motivation.”

Here’s a glimpse into the Friday matchups:

Who boasts the superior serve: Ben Shelton or Jannik Sinner?

Shelton packs a punch with his left-handed serve and showcases his strength in his sleeveless match attire. In his recent quarterfinal against Lorenzo Sonego, he unleashed a blistering ace at 144 mph (232 km/h), matching the tournament’s fastest serve.

Additionally, Shelton employs a high-bouncing kick serve taught by his father, Bryan, a former tour pro and his coach, which often leaves opponents scrambling.

“It’s a unique serve. He alters the angles considerably, making it tough to anticipate and respond to,” Sonego remarked. “You must decide swiftly when returning, or risk losing control of the ball.”

Sinner’s approach differs. His quickest serve recorded this tournament reached 131 mph (210 kph), but as noted by third-round opponent Marcos Giron, “He excels at placing the ball precisely.”

Throughout this Australian Open, Sinner has only faced 16 break points, saving 13 of them. He boasts an impressive 96% success rate with 75 wins out of 78 service games, ranking first among competitors who made it past the third round. Shelton follows closely at 94% (92 of 98).

“It’ll be critical,” noted Simone Vagnozzi, one of Sinner’s coaches, “to capitalize on the fleeting opportunities Shelton presents during the match.”

The gap widens when evaluating their return capabilities: Sinner has claimed 29% of his opponents’ service games (22 out of 75), while Shelton’s rate during the past week and a half stands at 15% (15 out of 99).

Does Djokovic’s historical performance factor in?

Djokovic undoubtedly has a more illustrious track record compared to Zverev. After all, who can genuinely rival Djokovic’s legacy?

This marks Djokovic’s 12th semifinal at the Australian Open (with a 10-1 record), and his 50th at all major tournaments (boasting a 37-12 record). Zverev, meanwhile, is set for his third semifinal appearance in Melbourne (having lost both previous attempts) and his ninth across all majors (with a 2-6 record).

“When you reach a Grand Slam semifinal, you must brace for a challenging match,” Zverev remarked. “If a player is at this level, it’s clear they’ve played exceptional tennis. Often, you’ll see names like Sinner, Alcaraz, or Djokovic here, as they represent the pinnacle of our sport.”

What are the latest betting odds for the Australian Open men’s semifinals?

According to BetMGM Sportsbook, Djokovic holds a narrow edge in the moneyline for his semifinal, set at -165 against Zverev at +135, a two-time runner-up at other major tournaments. Sinner, who recently triumphed at the U.S. Open in September just after navigating a doping case that’s still under appeal, holds a commanding position against Shelton, listed at -1600 to Shelton’s +875.

What are the head-to-head matchups for Djokovic-Zverev and Sinner-Shelton?

Djokovic currently leads Zverev in their head-to-head encounters 8-4, maintaining a 3-0 record in Grand Slam showdowns. Sinner is also ahead of Shelton with a 4-1 advantage, including a 1-0 record in major tournaments.

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