Novak Djokovic says it`s a "gamble" to keep playing the Australian Open and his abdominal injury could have an impact on the rest of his season, but the world number one is prepared to take the risk. The Serbian eight-time champion sustained a "muscle tear" during a thrilling five-setter against Taylor Fritz on Friday. He didn`t train the following day but took to Rod Laver Arena Sunday evening dosed up on painkillers to see off the threat posed by big-serving Canadian Milos Raonic over four sets and make the quarter-finals. Djokovic said the pain was "bearable" and he "somehow managed to find a way and win". 

But he is not planning to train again on Monday, instead working on his recovery ahead of his last-eight clash with sixth seed Alexander Zverev. "I mean, it`s kind of a gamble, that`s what the medical team told me. It`s really unpredictable, you can`t know what`s going to happen with you once you`re on the court," he said. "You`re not gonna save yourself or think about going for that point or this shot or that shot. It just pulls you. It`s normal. Playing at this level, you just want to give it your all. "It could cause much more damage than it is at the moment, but also could go in a good direction." The 33-year-old refused to say what exactly the problem was, although his abdomen was strapped against Raonic and he said after the Fritz clash that was it "a tear of the muscle".