There is a “strange” phenomenon at the Australian Open as many players have been struggling with abdominal injuries. Novak Djokovic, Matteo Berrettini, Pablo Carreno-Busta and Casper Ruud are the most notable names that have this issue.
Djokovic still playing despite injury
Interesting enough, the world no.1 was the only one that has decided not to retire. Nole said that the only reason why he didn’t pull out from the Australian Open is that it is a slam. He got injured during the 3rd set against Taylor Fritz, but he has found the way to beat the American before defeated Milos Raonic in the following round.
Regarding the other players, Berrettini had to concede a walkover in the quarters to Stefanos Tsitsipas; Ruud had to withdraw when playing the 4th round against Andrey Rublev, and Carreno-Busta retired when facing Grigor Dimitrov in the 3rd round.
After withdrawing, Berrettini said:
“I thought that wasn’t something really big, but the next day when I woke up I felt it was big. So I spoke to the doctors and they told me, look, I can get really worse, so it’s not worth the try.”
Djokovic at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Now the world no.1, the Serbian has a composed 6-0 win-loss record in 2021. The Serbian is currently competing at the Australian Open where he beat Jeremy Chardy 6-3 6-1 6-2, Frances Tiafoe 6-3 6-73 7-62 6-3, Taylor Harry Fritz 7-61 6-4 3-6 4-6 6-2 and Milos Raonic 7-64 4-6 6-1 6-4.
Novak Djokovic will take on Zverev in the quarter. Their current head to head is 5-2 for Djokovic.
Djokovic won 82 titles in his career: 48 on hard courts, 15 on clay courts, 13 on indoor courts and 6 on grass courts. (See the list of his titles)
Berrettini at the Australian Open, ranking, and results in 2021
Currently the world no.10, the Italian has a 8-2 win-loss record in 2021. Matteo is competing at the Australian Open where he defeated Kevin Anderson 7-69 7-5 6-3, Tomas Machac 6-3 6-2 4-6 6-3 and Karen Khachanov 7-61 7-65 7-65.
Novak Djokovic and Matteo Berrettini clashed against each other just on 1 occasion. The head to head is 1-0 for Djokovic. When they played, Novak Djokovic won 6-2 6-1 in the round robin in London (Nitto ATP Finals) in November 2019.
Pablo Carreno-Busta in 2021
Ranked no.16, the Spaniard played his last match on the 12th of February when he had to retire when playing against Grigor Dimitrov in the 3rd round and the scoreline was 6-0 1-0 .
At present, during this year Pablo has a 4-2 win-loss record.
Casper Ruud in 2021
At the moment ranked no.28, Ruud played his last match on the 15th of February when he had to retire when playing against Andrey Rublev in the 4th round and the scoreline was 6-2 7-6(3) 0-0 .
At present, during this year Casper has a 3-2 match record.
Pablo Carreno-Busta and Casper Ruud played each other twice. The head to head is 1-1. The last time they fought against each other, Casper Ruud won 6-1 3-6 6-1 in the 1st round in Kitzbuhel (Generali Open) in July 2019.
