Novak Djokovic has lifted the lid on his worrying scare after requesting a medical timeout during his first-round Wimbledon win.
The seven-time champion looked set to breeze into the second round after winning the first set of his tournament 6-1 against an overawed Alexandre Muller.
Djokovic was also in control for large parts of the second set but Muller forced a tie-break and then stunned the tennis icon to draw level.
In worrying scenes for those hoping to see Djokovic win a record-breaking 25th Grand Slam title, the physio and doctor were called by the Serbian midway through the third set.
Djokovic appeared to be given pain relief and was stretching out while breathing deeply as France’s Muller also asked for a medical timeout.
It was the 38-year-old who emerged stronger from the pause in play, winning the next two sets 6-2 to book his place in the second round, where he will meet Great Britain’s Dan Evans.
‘To be quite frank I went from feeling my absolute best to my absolute worst for 45 minutes,’ Djokovic said in his on-court interview.
‘Whether it was a stomach bug or something else, I don’t know. I struggled with that but the energy kicked back after some miracle pills from the doctors.’
Asked whether he ever feared he would be forced to retire, Djokovic added: ‘No, no. I honestly wasn’t thinking about that as an option.
‘I knew something was off with the stomach so I just waited for it to calm down and that’s what happened.’
More to follow…
