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Novak Djokovic recently pulled out midway through his Australian Open semifinal clash with Alexander Zverev citing leg injury.
Novak Djokovic also shared MRI of his left hamstring. (AP Photo)
Tennis great Rafael Nadal’s coach and uncle Toni Nadal has cast aspersions over the “authenticity” of Novak Djokovic’s injuries. Djokovic recently withdrew midway through his Australian Open men’s singles semifinal clash with Alexander Zverev in Melbourne with leg injury.
The Serb was booed by a section of the crowd at the Rod Laver Arena seemingly upset over having paid top dollars to only witness a contest that lasted one set.
“Another question is why there was such a protest in the stands,” Nadal wrote in a column for El Pais. “Firstly, I understand that the public showed their disappointment and anger at being deprived of the spectacle they had been expecting after having paid for it. The second and perhaps most significant reason is that over the years, there has been a growing suspicion around Novak, due to his expressions or histrionics, casting doubt on the authenticity of his injuries.”
“When a player faces physical problems in such a match, they typically delay the decision to withdraw until the last moment. They call the physio, struggle through a few games with limitations and only when realising the inevitable, do they opt for retirement.
“On several occasions, we have seen Novak with similar performances, using facial expressions and body language that contradict what we see on the court, raising doubts about the authenticity of his issues,” he added.
Toni though schooled the jeering fans as he reminded them of Djokovic’s achievements.
“I believe that a great champion like the Serbian, someone who has contributed to writing the most glorious pages of tennis history, should not depart in this manner from any court and even less so from the Rod Laver Arena, where he holds the records for victories and titles,” he wrote.
“Respect, this is my personal feeling, he truly deserves in that difficult moment, without a doubt, of having to leave the court that has seen him triumph so many times. I can only imagine how hard it must have been for him to have to accept such an adverse reaction from the public. If it is already difficult to accept that one cannot continue fighting, it must be much more difficult if this is accompanied by the public’s incomprehension,” he added.
Djokovic shared MRI of his injured hamstring in a brutal response to “injury experts”.
The 37-year-old had hurt his upper left thigh during quarterfinal win over Carlos Alcaraz. He played the semifinal with a heavily taped leg but as the contest progressed, the growing pain rendered it impossible for him to continue.
