Djokovic encounters challenging conditions at the Australian Open while advancing to the semi-finals

Novak Djokovic expressed feeling “trapped” in the intense heat during his hard-fought quarterfinal victory against Taylor Fritz on Tuesday. Despite struggling with the conditions early in the match, the Serbian world number one managed to secure a 7-6 (7/3), 4-6, 6-2, 6-3 win, keeping him on course for a historic 25th Grand Slam title.

Throughout the challenging encounter at Rod Laver Arena, Djokovic resorted to using towels and ice packs in a desperate attempt to cool down on a hot summer’s day in Melbourne. He candidly admitted that the match was “not an enjoyable” experience for him.

In his post-match comments, Djokovic revealed the lengths he went to in order to cope with the heat, saying, “I tried everything I possibly can in the very short amount of time in the changeovers.” He acknowledged that both players felt the effects of the heat, emphasizing that the hard court surface absorbed and intensified the heat, making it even more challenging for them on the court compared to the spectators in the stands.

Djokovic elaborated on the impact of the high level of tennis and the intensity of the match, explaining how it demanded a significant amount of effort and energy. He expressed the feeling of being “trapped in this heat, inside and outside,” highlighting the relentless nature of the competition and the limited time for recovery between points.

Tennis Full Results | Schedule

Novak Djokovic extended his impressive winning streak in Melbourne to 33 consecutive victories, a remarkable achievement dating back to 2018. His absence from the 2022 event was attributed to his coronavirus vaccination status.

The 36-year-old Djokovic, who held an impeccable 8-0 record against the 12th-seeded American, continued his dominance as he narrowly clinched the demanding first set lasting 84 minutes. Despite facing two set points against him in the 12th game, Djokovic thwarted Fritz’s attempts and seized control in the subsequent tie-break.

After a brief break following the first set, Djokovic experienced his first break of the match upon his return. Fritz, resilient in fending off numerous break points in the opening set, managed to level the match by repelling seven more break points in the second set.

Djokovic, persisting through 16 attempts, finally broke in the third set, gaining command and breaking again to position himself one set away from victory. The Serbian player secured his third break in the sixth game of the fourth set, with Fritz briefly rallying back but ultimately double faulting in the following game, relinquishing the advantage to Djokovic.

Reflecting on his performance, Djokovic expressed satisfaction with his play in the third and fourth sets. The win now places him just two victories away from a historic achievement — becoming the sole player, male or female, to amass 25 Grand Slam singles titles.

Djokovic, who has an impeccable record of winning the Australian Open once reaching the semi-finals, currently shares the record of 24 majors with Margaret Court. In the realm of men’s tennis, he stands ahead of the injured Rafael Nadal by two titles and retired Roger Federer by four.