"Spending more time in the toilet than on the tennis court" - Novak Djokovic on playing with stomach issues at Paris Masters

Novak Djokovic has opened up about the challenges he's facing due to stomach issues at the ongoing 2023 Paris Masters.

On Thursday, Novak Djokovic defeated Tallon Griekspoor in the Round of 16 at Paris-Bercy. The match ended 4-6, 7-6(2), 6-4 in favor of Djokovic, who is aiming for his 40th ATP Masters 1000 title this week.

During his on-court interview afterwards, the 24-time Grand Slam champion revealed that he's been spending more time in the restroom than on the tennis court the past few days. Djokovic said he's been grappling with stomach issues, which have affected his overall well-being.

“Honestly, I've been spending more time in the toilet than on the tennis court for several days now," he said. "I'm dealing with stomach problems and I'm not quite feeling myself."

"I went out with the idea of maintaining my serve as best I could and getting to the tiebreak," he added. "I managed to do it in the second set, where I raised my level in sudden death, and then I started to feel better in the third set. I am very happy to have overcome this challenge."

Novak Djokovic will face Holger Rune in the Paris Masters quarterfinals

Internazionali BNL D'Italia 2023 - Djokovic and Rune

The 24-time Grand Slam champion will face Danish tennis sensation Holger Rune in the quarterfinals on Friday.

Djokovic started his campaign in the French capital by defeating Argentine Tomás Martín Etcheverry 6-3, 6-2 on Wednesday. His last Paris Masters triumph was in 2021, when he faced Daniil Medvedev in the final and won 4-6, 6-3, 6-3.

Djokovic has had an 2023 exceptional season so far, winning three Grand Slam titles: the Australian Open, the French Open and the US Open.

On the other hand, Holger Rune began his Paris Masters journey by beating Austrian star Dominic Thiem 6-4, 6-2. He continued his winning streak with a victory against Daniel Altmaier, securing a 6-2, 6-2 decision.

The Dane is the defending champion at the Paris Masters, having defeated Novak Djokovic in the final last year with a score of 3-6, 6-3, 7-5. Rune holds a 2-1 head-to-head record against Djokovic, with the second victory occurring at the ATP Masters 1000 in Rome this May.

Holger Rune also has his sights set on winning his second trophy this season after his victory at the Munich Open, where he defeated Botic van de Zandschulp in the final with a score of 6–4, 1–6, 7–6(3).