Novak Djokovic Accused of Faking Injury at the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic Accused of Faking Injury at the Australian Open

Novak Djokovic continues to face skepticism from tennis fans despite his explanations regarding his injury at the 2025 Australian Open.

The world No. 6 took a medical timeout during his quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz but went on to win the match. However, just a few days later, he unexpectedly withdrew after the first set in his semifinal match against Alexander Zverev, raising doubts about the severity of his injury.

Djokovic Fires Back, but Conspiracy Theories Persist

After being accused of faking his injury, Djokovic responded on social media. He shared an MRI scan, showing a tear in his thigh muscle, while criticizing the so-called “experts” who questioned the legitimacy of his injury.

“I think I’ll just leave this here for all the ‘sports injury experts’ out there,” Djokovic tweeted, emphasizing that his injury was real and dismissing claims that he was exaggerating it for strategic advantage.

Despite his defense, public opinion remains divided. A poll conducted by Express Sport revealed that 49% of fans believe Djokovic faked his injury, while 51% support the Serbian star.

Criticism from Tennis Experts

Former tennis legend John McEnroe openly expressed his skepticism, stating:
“This is not the first time we’ve seen this routine. Don’t be fooled.”

Even Carlos Alcaraz, Djokovic’s quarterfinal opponent, questioned the injury claims. “A player thinking about retiring wouldn’t have played the third and fourth sets the way he did,” Alcaraz remarked.

Andy Roddick, a former world No. 1, also suggested that Djokovic was competing at an elite level against Alcaraz and showed no obvious signs of physical distress.

Djokovic Leaves the Court Amid Boos

In his semifinal match against Zverev, Djokovic played an intense 81-minute first set before retiring from the match. As he left the court, some fans booed, expressing their disappointment with how the match ended.

Despite presenting medical evidence, Novak Djokovic remains at the center of controversy. Will he make a strong comeback and silence the doubters, or will conspiracy theories continue to swirl around the Serbian superstar?