Djokovic fake injury? Top 5 incidents when Novak Djokovic miraculously recovered from injury during a match
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Recently, during his Australian Open 2021 third-round match against Taylor Fritz, Novak Djokovic was clearly suffering from an abdominal strain that was making things difficult for him. He took a medical timeout hinting at what could be a potentially serious injury. However, he came back, braved the injury, and defeated Fritz with a scoreline of 7-6, 6-4, 3-6, 4-6, 6-2.
It was all not rosy for Djokovic after the match as well as he stated that he was uncertain whether he would be able to continue playing at the open. “I know it’s a tear, definitely, of the muscle. So I don’t know if I’ll manage to recover from that in less than two days. I don’t know. I don’t know. I don’t know if I’m going to step out onto the court or not,” he said after the match.
Amidst the doubts regarding his further participation, Djokovic turned up for his fourth round game against Milos Raonic and defeated him in four sets. He stated in his post-match interview that if it had not been a Grand Slam, he would have withdrawn.
This was not the first time when the current World No. 1 has miraculously recovered from an injury during a match or a tournament. In this article today, we will recall 5 such moments when Djokovic did the same.
Australian Open 2020 Finals: Novak Djokovic vs Dominic Thiem
In his match against Dominic Thiem in the finals, Djokovic took yet another medical timeout in an adverse situation. Thiem was a set away from getting his first major title when Djokovic called for a trainer and went on winning 6-4, 4-6, 2-6, 6-3, 6-4. Explaining his timeout Djokovic said that, “ I wasn’t injured, but I was lucky”
Australian open 2020 Quarterfinals: Novak Djokovic vs Milos Raonic
Djokovic claimed to be suffering from something he could not explain and went on to take medical time outs at crucial moments. He then mysteriously recovered and went on to lift the Australian Open title.
In his match against Milos Raonic, Djokovic took a medical timeout at 4-4 when Raonic had to serve. During the match he claimed, “I can’t see,” then went off the court. To which Raonic enquired, “is he allowed to do that?”.
US Open 2019 2nd Round: Novak Djokovic vs Juan Ignacio Londero
In his second round match of US Open 2019 against Juan Ignacio Londero, Djokovic called for a trainer when he was in lead 4-3 during the first set for treating his shoulder. It was during this match that the Mcenroe brothers called him an actor and sparked a controversy. He later went on to win the match comfortably 6-4, 7-6(1), 6-1.
US Open 2016 finals: Novak Djokovic vs Stan Wawrinka
Another controversial medical time out by Djokovic came in the US open 2016 finals against Stan Wawrinka. Wawarinka went on to win the match with a score line of 6-7 (1), 6-4, 7-5, 6-3. Stan later admitted he was surprised by the timing of the medical timeout and also said that usually the rule is for one session per injury. In the match Djokovic had called the trainer for the same injury more than once.
US Open 2005 1st round: Novak Djokovic vs Gael Monfils
In the battle of young guns at the US Open 2005, Djokovic came out on top to defeat Gael Monfils 7-5,4-6,7-6(5),0-6,7-5. In the match Djokovic took a number of timeouts and later agreed the timeouts helped him. Monfils appealed to the umpire and also said he did not know whether it was fake or real. The contest lasted for over 4 hours.
Also Read: French Open 2020: “Conditions are perfect for Djokovic against Nadal,” claims John McEnroe
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