Tennis fans voiced their apprehension regarding Novak Djokovic`s visibly swollen face in the lead-up to the Miami Open final.
The 37-year-old Serbian tennis legend had secured his place in the final against Czech young talent Jakub Mensik after defeating Grigor Dimitrov in the semi-finals.
Prior to the final match at Hard Rock Stadium, which experienced a delay due to Florida storms, concerns arose about Djokovic`s health.
Footage emerged of Djokovic during a practice session showing noticeable swelling under his right eye, accompanied by redness.
He was also seen using eye drops on the court before commencing his practice.
Djokovic, now with Andy Murray, his former rival, as part of his coaching team, was later seen wearing sunglasses as he moved around the venue before the final, where he aimed for his potential 100th career title.
The cause of the swelling and the extent of any discomfort for the 24-time Grand Slam winner remain unclear.
However, his fanbase quickly took to social media to share their reactions.
One fan commented, “Knowing Djokovic, he`ll persevere through this. It might affect his hand-eye coordination, especially for returns, but it is what it is. Give it your all, Nole. The 100th title will come when it`s destined.”
Another fan expressed, “Damn! Let`s hope it doesn`t impact his performance today.”
A third supporter added optimism, “He`ll be alright if this is the extent of any physical issues.”
A fourth comment related to personal experience, “This occasionally happens to me when my allergies flare up badly.”
Another user concluded with confidence, “He will still triumph.”
Djokovic had a dominant victory over Dimitrov in the semi-finals on Friday.
During that semi-final, play was briefly interrupted when Dimitrov confronted a heckler, who was subsequently removed from the stadium.
Football icon Lionel Messi was among the spectators at the Miami Open semi-final and had a meeting with Djokovic backstage, where they exchanged signed shirts and posed for photographs.
One of Messi`s sons playfully advised Djokovic to elevate his game as he aims to surpass Roger Federer as the oldest Masters champion in history.
Djokovic, benefiting from a favorable draw in Florida, shared his excitement: “It was my first time playing with him in the audience.”
“I`ve watched him play numerous times, including the 2022 World Cup final when Argentina won.”
“Having him watch me live is a source of immense joy, excitement, and a touch of pressure.”
“I received an eight out of ten rating from one of his sons, which is quite encouraging. With complete seriousness, he told me I need to achieve a ten out of ten for the next match.”
