Meds to the rescue as Djoko survives into Paris quarters

Novak Djokovic credited trainers and their boxes of medical tricks for keeping him going through to a five-set win into the French Open quarter-finals.

The three-time champion at Roland Garros managed to overcome the pain barrier as a recent  knee problem flared up on his way to a narrow win over Francisco Cerundolo.

Djokovic blamed the surface of the Chatrier court clay for part of his problem, with a slip on what he said was the uneven surface early on in the match led to his injury flare-up.

“There was very little, almost no clay on the court today. Because of the drier conditions and sun and warmer conditions, it affects the clay in such a way that, you know, it becomes very slippery. 

“So the injury that I had today with the knee happened exactly because of that, because I slipped, and I slide a lot. 

“Everyone slides on clay, but I slipped way too many times. That is quite unusual,”

The 24-time Grand Slam winner credited physios and modern medicine for his place in the last eight at Roland Garros after more than four hours of battle.

” 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 now from the doctor after 30 to 45 minutes, which was just about the time kind of end of the fourth when things started to really improve for me. 

“I started to feel less limitations in my movement.”

The 37-year-old said that the fifth set was played “almost without any pain, which is great.”

The methodical player who has been in the ix at the top of the Tour for the past decade and a half said that he will spend Tuesday in determining the cause of his eight knee troubles, which he said began last month.

“I guess we’ll do some more screening and tests and checkups tomorrow, as well. We did some with the doctor right after the match.

“(We got) some positive news but also maybe some concerns, so let’s see tomorrow. 

“There are medications, anti-inflammatories, stuff that you can do. The adrenaline, of course, that kicks in, that helps you go through the tournament.”

The world No. 1 said that a day off will be welcome: “That will allow hopefully the healing process to happen more efficiently for me. 

“I don’t know what will happen tomorrow or after tomorrow if I’ll be able to step out on the court and play.”

Main photo:- Novak Djokovic slides on the Chatrier terre battue which he claims caused his injury -by Roger Parker International Sports Fotos