James Blake and John McEnroe accuse Carlos Alcaraz of mocking Novak Djokovic’s injury during their Australian Open clash
Novak Djokovic denied Carlos Alcaraz a chance to complete the Career Grand Slam after cruising past him in the quarterfinals.
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Novak Djokovic, John McEnroe, Carlos Alcaraz, James Blake (Images via X, Wikipedia)
Carlos Alcaraz‘s quest for his first Australian Open title ended when Novak Djokovic came from a set down to beat him in the quarterfinals with a scoreline of 4-6, 6-4, 6-3, 6-4. Djokovic seemed to have struggled during the first set and even took a medical timeout, which many consider was a part of his tactics.
Tennis great John McEnroe was convinced that Djokovic faked an injury, and he also thought that Alcaraz was mimicking the Serb. After the third set which Djokovic won, Alcaraz held his upper right leg and pretended that he was limping according to McEnroe and James Blake, who were doing commentary.
You can see the frustration. He’s kind of limping around as if he’s… then he gets up and does it again, looking at his [coaching] box and limping around. And then he’s obviously fine, just acting like he’s got some sort of an injury there.
James Blake said on Channel 9
McEnroe, who earlier said that Djokovic would do anything to win his 25th Grand Slam title, agreed with Blake and didn’t blame the 21-year-old for his alleged pretense.
That’s what I would do if I was playing him. I’d be like Novak, I’d be going right at Novak and be like, ‘Hey man, come on’. No kidding, I don’t blame him.
John McEnroe said
Carlos Alcaraz grabs his leg after losing the set to Djokovic at Australian Open
— The Tennis Letter (@TheTennisLetter) January 21, 2025
“He’s kind of limping around. Then he gets up & does it again. Limping around & sitting down. He’s obviously fine. Just acting like he’s got an injury”
“He’s being Novak.”
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John McEnroe questions Novak Djokovic’s medical timeout
As mentioned before, Novak Djokovic took a medical timeout during the first set when he was trailing against Carlos Alcaraz. Djokovic winced in pain and walked off the court with his physio and was back with a strapped left thigh. John McEnroe was not at all concerned.
This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this routine. Don’t be fooled!
John McEnroe said on Channel 9
Djokovic lost the last game of the first set easily without making any efforts to win. But he started the second set in an emphatic fashion and continued the same for the rest of the sets until he finally won and secured a spot in the semifinal.
The 37-year-old, who has now reached a Major singles semifinal for the 50th time, will now be facing another tough opponent in the form of Alexander Zverev, who defeated Tommy Paul in four sets the quarterfinals. The 24-time Grand Slam champion leads Sascha 8-4 in their head-to-head record.
The match, scheduled on Friday (January 24) will be their second meeting Down Under, following the quarterfinals in 2021 Australian Open, which Djokovic had won.
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Gouri Das
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