Two members of Novak Djokovic’s team were missing from his player’s box during his second round clash at the French Open due to a medical emergency.
Djokovic took on home player Corentin Moutet, who he defeated 6-3, 6-2, 7-6(1) in what was a testing encounter at times. The 24-time Grand Slam champion struggled with blisters on his foot and required a medical timeout. He then underwent further treatment immediately after the match ended, which involved drawing the blood out of his blister and then injecting something to dry it out.
Coinciding with Djokovic’s medical problem was a more serious one involving a member of his camp. Whilst he was playing on court, his physiotherapist Miljan Amanovic and fitness trainer Gephard Gritsch were at a hospital. Amanovic, who is also Djokovic’s godfather, underwent an emergency operation following a reaction to another surgery he recently had.
“Unfortunately, Miljan is in the hospital,” Djokovic told Serbia’s Sport Klub on Thursday. “He had a serious situation and an operation. I wouldn’t want to go into more than that. We were all worried. He’s fine at the moment, but not ideal. He has to be in the hospital for a few days. We’re all worried. I hope everything will be fine.”
In an update on Friday morning, Sport Klub confirmed Amanovic’s medical emergency was related to a recent nose surgery he underwent. Whilst in Paris, he suffered a nosebleed that couldn’t be stopped normally. Resulting in him being taken to hospital. He is expected to be discharged either today or tomorrow.
As for Djokovic’s current fitness, the Serbian says he is in good shape apart from the blisters. He is currently on a six-match winning streak after claiming his 100th title at the Geneva Open last week.
“I’m pretty fit at the moment. I don’t feel like I have any major issues,” he said.
“Although it took me almost an hour to deal with the blister and the bleeding that I had.
“I don’t think it’s going to be an issue for me to recover. The good thing about slams obviously you have a day in between. So plenty of time to recover and get ready for the next one (match).”
Djokovic will play Austrian qualifier Filip Misolic in the third round.
