“Expected” – Tennis fans Accuse Novak Djokovic of Trying to Disrupt Jannik Sinner’s Rhythm by Taking Medical Time Out During Roland Garros Semifinal

Novak Djokovic had to take a medical time out after the second set against Jannik Sinner at Roland Garros.

“Expected” – Tennis fans Accuse Novak Djokovic of Trying to Disrupt Jannik Sinner’s Rhythm by Taking Medical Time Out During Roland Garros Semifinal

Novak Djokovic during the medical timeout (via X-Tennis Pro Trader)

Novak Djokovic’s dream of landing a 25th Grand Slam title came to an end on Friday as he lost in straight sets against Jannik Sinner. The Italian has now gotten the better of the Serb in their last four meetings.

The big talking point was Djokovic’s medical timeout before the third set against Sinner. The Serb was having issues with his leg and hip, and he took a full MTO to prepare himself for the third set.

The MTO seemed to have worked, as Djokovic stayed with Sinner throughout the third set. The former World No. 1 even had set points to take the match to a fourth set, but the Italian remained firm. This is Djokovic’s first defeat at Roland Garros in three years. His last loss came against Rafael Nadal in the 2022 French Open quarterfinals.

Tennis fans accuse Novak Djokovic of hampering Jannik Sinner’s rhythm

When Novak Djokovic took the medical timeout, there were a few fans who took the situation in a different way. They accused the 24-time Grand Slam champion of disrupting Jannik Sinner’s rhythm when he was two sets up.

Novak Djokovic
Novak Djokovic (via X)

This is not the first time in which Djokovic has taken a medical time out when two sets down at Roland Garros. The Serbian took an extended break after being two sets down against Stefanos Tsitsipas in the 2021 Roland Garros final.

Djokovic went on to win the final by winning the last three sets. There have been other multiple cases as well in which he has taken a break to neutralize the momentum of his opponent.

Jannik Sinner reaches first Roland Garros final

World No.1 Jannik Sinner delivered a dominant performance to defeat Novak Djokovic in the Roland Garros semifinal on Friday night. The world No. 1 claimed a 6-4, 7-5, 7-6(3) win in a match filled with intense rallies and high-quality play. Sinner’s strong baseline game and powerful serving proved too much for the three-time French Open champion.

Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic (X/The Tennis Letter)
Jannik Sinner and Novak Djokovic (X/The Tennis Letter)

Though the scoreline suggests a straightforward win, the contest had many thrilling moments. Djokovic, a 24-time Grand Slam winner, showed flashes of brilliance throughout. He had three set points at 5-4 in the third set but failed to convert. Sinner stayed composed and sealed the match in straight sets.

This marks Sinner’s first appearance in a Grand Slam final. The 23-year-old Italian will now face Carlos Alcaraz, setting up an exciting showdown. Alcaraz reached the final earlier in the day after Lorenzo Musetti retired from their semifinal match while trailing 4-6, 7-6(3), 6-0, 2-0.

Sunday’s final is historic, as it will be the first Grand Slam men’s singles final between two players born in the 2000s. Sinner enters as the reigning US Open and Australian Open champion, while Alcaraz is the defending Roland Garros champ.

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