“Novak Djokovic is within his rights in declining specific questions about his injury,” believes Ben Rothenberg


“Novak Djokovic is within his rights in declining     specific questions about his injury,” believes Ben Rothenberg
Novak Djokovic

Novak Djokovic has not had the best of relations with the press and media at most times, and it almost came to a tipping point during last month’s Australian Open. Speculations about his injury, and the circus around it had the potential to escalate into a full blown confrontation at any point. Looking back, writer and journalist Ben Rothenberg believes he is firmly on Djokovic’s side. 

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Novak Djokovic says he has a muscle tear but refuses to go into specifics

Novak Djokovic’s injury

After the third round encounter with Taylor Fritz, Djokovic injured himself. He played on but took a lot of medical time outs. Towards the end it got so bad that he almost crawled to the finish line. Talking to the media after the match, Djokovic said that he has a definite muscle tear and is not sure if he can play his fourth round match against Milos Raonic

In the next match, Djokovic not only played but also played with the fluency of someone who definitely has no abdominal muscle tear. What followed next was a game of cat and mouse between Djokovic and the media.

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The media kept asking Djokovic about the injury and its specifics. But Djokovic was in no mood to comply and he simply avoided talking or remained silent. 

 Ben Rothenberg has come out and defended Novak Djokovic on this matter. Rothenberg believes that a player doesn’t need to talk about specifics of his injury if he doesn’t want to. Rothenberg thinks it’s the players right to reveal as much as he wants to about the injury. 

Ben Rothenberg begs to differ with Victoria Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka

Victoria Azarenka was eliminated in the first round of the Australian Open. During the match it was quite apparent that she was having trouble breathing. After the match, while talking to the media, she flat-out refused to give a reason. Azarenka believes that anything she says will be speculated on social media and blown out of proportion. And thus, her silence.

Ben Rothenberg says that players have in the past lied about their injuries, and this move by tournament officials or organizers or higher Tennis authority where you have to give a reason is the right one.

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He thinks it’s ok not to want to talk about it in detail, but give a reason. Rothenberg also believes that moves like these help improve transparency in the game, and that is always a good thing.  

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