Novak Djokovic has hit back at John McEnroe over the seven-time world champion telling viewers not to be ‘fooled’ by the Serbian claiming to be carrying an injury at the Australian Open. McEnroe’s comments came two days before Djokovic was forced to withdraw from his semi-final clash with Alexander Zverev due to a muscle problem.
The 10-time Australian Open champion retired after Zverev won a tight first-set tiebreaker. Djokovic had continually complained about an injury in Melbourne but did not divulge further details.
That prompted scepticism, with some pundits and fans pointing out that Djokovic has made similar noises about carrying injuries at previous tournaments. During his quarter-final win over Carlos Alcaraz, ESPN commentator McEnroe said of Djokovic limping: “This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this routine. Don’t be fooled.”
When Djokovic won the second set against Alcaraz, McEnroe’s brother, Patrick, asked him if he had envisaged the outcome. “Yes,” was the blunt response.
Asked about McEnroe’s comments, Djokovic said: “To be honest, I haven’t seen these comments, so I can’t say more. What I can say is that it’s always easier to judge and criticise than to understand. It’s a lesson I’ve learned in life.”
Djokovic was booed by sections of the Rod Laver Arena crowd after withdrawing from his match against Zverev. The German, who will face Jannik Sinner in the final, was not impressed by the reaction.
“Please guys, don’t boo a player when he goes out with injury,” Zverev said in his on-court interview.
“I know that everybody paid for tickets and everybody wants to see a great five set match. But you have to understand for the past 20 years Novak Djokovic has given tennis absolutely everything.
“He has won this tournament with an abdominal tear, a hamstring tear. If he cannot continue with this match, it means he really can’t continue.”
Asked for a response to the boos, Djokovic diplomatically said: “I don’t know what to say. People came, they paid for the tickets expecting a great match and a big fight, which they didn’t get.
“From that perspective, I can understand. I am doing my best to understand them, but I am not sure whether they understand me or if they even want to understand me.
“I know how my body works, what I feel, and I know how much I’ve given to this tournament in the past 20-plus years. I will stop here, so that I don’t continue [speaking] in the wrong direction.”