Tennis enthusiasts voiced their apprehension regarding Novak Djokovic`s visibly swollen face prior to the Miami Open final.
The esteemed Serbian player, aged 37, secured his place in the final against Czech young talent Jakub Mensik by defeating Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-finals.
Leading up to the final match at Hard Rock Stadium, which faced delays due to Florida storms, concerns arose about Djokovic`s health.
Video footage of Djokovic in practice revealed a noticeable swelling under his reddened right eye.
He was also observed using eye drops at the side of the court before commencing his practice session.
Djokovic, currently coached by his former rival Andy Murray, was later seen wearing sunglasses as he walked around the grounds before the final, where he aimed for his potential 100th career title.
The cause of the swelling and the extent of any discomfort experienced by the 24-time Grand Slam champion remain unclear.
However, his devoted fanbase took to social media to express their worries.
One fan commented, “Knowing Djokovic, he will persevere through this. It might affect his hand-eye coordination, especially in returns. But it is what it is. Give it your best, Nole. The 100th title will come when it`s destined.”
Another wrote, “Damn!!! Hope it doesn`t impact his performance today.”
A third added, “He`ll be alright, if this is the extent of his physical issues.”
A fourth shared, “This sometimes happens to me when my allergies are really bad.”
And lastly, another user replied, “He will still triumph.”
Djokovic secured a comfortable victory against Dimitrov in the semi-finals on Friday.
Their match was briefly interrupted when the Bulgarian player confronted a heckler, who was subsequently removed.
Lionel Messi attended the Miami Open semi-final and met Djokovic backstage, where they exchanged shirts and took photos.
One of Messi`s sons playfully advised Djokovic to elevate his game as he seeks to surpass Federer as the oldest Masters champion in history.
Djokovic, benefiting from a favorable draw in Florida, mentioned, “It was my first time playing in his presence.”
“I have watched him play several times, including the 2022 World Cup final when he won with Argentina.”
“Having him watch me live is a source of great joy and excitement, and also a bit of pressure.”
“I received an eight out of ten rating from one of his sons, which is quite good. With a serious expression, he told me I need to achieve a ten out of ten for the next match.”
