Tennis - Australian Open - Melbourne Park, Melbourne, Australia, February 12, 2021 Serbia's Novak Djokovic receives medical attention during his third round match against Taylor Fritz of the U.S. REUTERS/Loren Elliott
MELBOURNE (Reuters) - Defending champion Novak Djokovic faces a fitness battle to continue in the Australian Open after suffering what he described as a "muscle tear" during a five-set win over Taylor Fritz on Friday.
The 33-year-old, seeking a record-extending ninth title in Melbourne, was cruising after winning the opening two sets of his third-round clash but a slip at 1-1 in the third set almost derailed his progress.
