Djokovic advances to Wimbledon semi-finals after De Minaur injury

Serbia's Novak Djokovic pretends to play the violin for his daughter as he celebrates winning against Denmark's Holger Rune at The All England Lawn Tennis and Croquet Club in Wimbledon, southwest London, on July 8. (Photograph: AFP)

Seven-time champion Novak Djokovic reached the Wimbledon semi-finals on Wednesday when Alex de Minaur withdrew from their last-eight clash with a hip injury.

Australian ninth seed De Minaur suffered the injury in his fourth-round win over Arthur Fils and admitted Wednesday: “I am devastated to pull out due to a hip injury”.

“It’s no secret that this would have been the biggest match of my career but it’s a unique injury,” said the 25-year-old.

“I woke up this morning wanting to feel some sort of miracle, but there was a high risk of making the injury worse if I stepped on court.

“One stretch, one slide could take this from a three to six weeks’ injury to four months out.”

Djokovic will be playing in his 13th Wimbledon semi-final and 49th at the Grand Slams.

He will face either Taylor Fritz of the United States or Italy’s Lorenzo Musetti for a place in Sunday’s championship match.

AFP