‘Annoyed’ former World No.1 gives blunt verdict after Novak Djokovic accused of faking injury at Australian Open

Novak Djokovic was accused of faking his injury due to which he was forced to share a picture of his MRI scan.


‘Annoyed’ former World No.1 gives blunt verdict after Novak Djokovic accused of faking injury at Australian Open

Novak Djokovic (Image via X)

Novak Djokovic‘s mid-match retirement from the semifinal against Alexander Zverev at the Australian Open sparked controversy. He was booed by the crowd at Rod Laver Arena when he was leaving the court, leading to many condemning their conduct.

Zverev himself had to urge the crowd to stop booing the 37-year-old. Now Kim Clijsters, a four-time Grand Slam singles champion, recalled critics doubting Djokovic’s injury he suffered at the 2024 French Open in spite of him having surgery later.

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And then people started to doubt what he was saying. It’s annoying when you have physical problems of this level. In fact, people often doubt him, he doesn’t believe it. I remember that after Roland Garros some dared to say, ‘I don’t even know if he had knee surgery’. That sums up the situation.

Kim Clijsters said on Served with Andy Roddick podcast

Djokovic had torn the meniscus on his right knee and was forced to pull out of the quarterfinal match he was scheduled to play against Casper Ruud. The three-time French Open champion then underwent surgery and made his comeback at Wimbledon where he reached the final but was no match for Carlos Alcaraz, losing the match in straight sets.

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His latest injury has forced him to pull out of Serbia’s Davis Cup Qualifier First Round tie against Denmark. There’s a possibility of him missing the Qatar Open as reports have emerged that he could be out for a couple of months.

Stefanos Tsitsipas recalls the massive mistake he made in 2021 French Open against Novak Djokovic

Former World No.3 Stefanos Tsitsipas is a two-time Grand Slam finalist. He made it to the summit clash of the 2021 French Open and was defeated by Novak Djokovic in five sets. Tsitsipas recalled that match, revealing the mistakes he made.

Novak Djokovic (8)
Novak Djokovic (Image via X)

I made a massive mistake in the final. That is the only regret that I have. I just learned through that final that superstitions aren’t always necessarily good. That goes for not eating as well when playing a final, which can cost you so much.

Stefanos Tsitispas told the Tennis Insider Club podcast

It was the second time Tsitsipas had met Djokovic in the Roland Garros final, following their encounter in the semifinal in 2020 which was also a five-set contest. The 26-year-old Greek has met Djokovic 14 times but could beat him just twice.

Tsitsipas was last seen in action at the Australian Open. The 2023 Australian Open finalist suffered a shocking first-round defeat, losing to 20-year-old Alex Michelsen in four sets.