John McEnroe appeared to recommend that Novak Djokovic deliberately took a medical timeout in opposition to Carlos Alcaraz so he might attempt to throw the Spaniard off his sport.
After the No. 3 seed broke the Serb within the ninth sport of the primary set of their Australian Open quarterfinal match, the 37-year-old had a physio come out to the court docket.
After a quick dialog, the file 24-time Grand Slam champion left the court docket to obtain medical help for what seemed like a thigh/groin concern.
When Djokovic returned, the higher a part of his left leg was strapped.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this routine. Don’t be fooled,” McEnroe mentioned on air whereas sitting in ESPN’s sales space.
That assertion prompted his brother Patrick to ask: “Did you see this coming!?”
The previous world No. 1 responded: “Yes.”
Novak Djokovic and physio© X screenshot
Djokovic received however afterward mentioned that he was ‘involved’
After the medical timeout, Alcaraz routinely closed out the primary set.
However the remainder of the match was all concerning the file 10-time Australian Open champion, who stormed again to win 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4.
Later, the Serb dismissed any claims that he was faking an harm, insisting that he was “concerned.”
“I’ll attempt to do as a lot as I probably can with my restoration staff, with my physio, immediately, tomorrow, the subsequent few days. In all probability skip coaching tomorrow. I’ll see if I’m going to coach in two days or not,” Djokovic said.
“I’ll take it day by day. Now it’s really about recovery. I’m concerned. I am, to be honest, physically. But, if I manage somehow to be physically good enough, I think mentally, and emotionally, I’m as motivated as I can be.”
Since his Australian Open semifinal match in opposition to Alexander Zverev is scheduled for Friday, the 37-year-old Serb has two full days to deal with his harm considerations.
