Novak Djokovic takes aim at injury ‘experts’ after sour Australian Open exit
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Novak Djokovic said a tear in his upper left thigh had made it impossible for him to carry on.
PHOTO: REUTERS
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MELBOURNE – Novak Djokovic rounded on his critics on Jan 25, the day after retiring injured in his Australian Open semi-final after the first set against Alexander Zverev to boos from the crowd at the tournament he has won 10 times.
The Serb put on an inspired performance to beat Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals, but could not continue on Jan 24 after losing the opener 7-6 (7-5) to Zverev,
The 37-year-old said a tear in his upper left thigh, which was heavily strapped, had made it impossible for him to carry on.
The former world No. 1 responded on Jan 25, posting a photo of an MRI taken of his left hamstring on the social media platform X with the caption: “Thought I’d leave this here for all the sports injury ‘experts’ out there.”
It was not immediately clear from the image what diagnosis Djokovic received.
It was the second time in a year that an injury had derailed the 24-time Major winner’s Grand Slam campaign, after he pulled out of the French Open with a knee problem before the quarter-final stage.
German Zverev defended seventh seed Djokovic during his on-court interview, pointing to the Serb’s track record of playing through pain, including winning the tournament in 2021 with an abdominal tear.
“I know everyone paid for tickets and wants to see a five-set match, but you have to understand Novak Djokovic is someone who has given absolutely everything to tennis,” said second seed Zverev.
“If he cannot continue this match, it means he really cannot continue.”
Meanwhile, top seeds Katerina Siniakova and Taylor Townsend claimed the women’s doubles crown at the Australian Open on Jan 26 after beating Jelena Ostapenko and Hsieh Su-wei 6-2, 6-7 (4-7), 6-3 in a gruelling final.
The victory at Rod Laver Arena gave Siniakova and Townsend their second Grand Slam title after their Wimbledon triumph in 2024, while it was the 10th Major success for Czech Siniakova, the doubles world No. 1.
“Big thanks goes to Taylor. We are having fun and that’s the most important, so thank you for playing with me. I’m really enjoying it,” Siniakova said after lifting the trophy with her American partner.
Taylor Townsend (left) and Katerina Siniakova claimed the women’s doubles crown at the Australian Open on Jan 26.
PHOTO: REUTERS
For Townsend, the win was a full-circle moment in her career after she won the title as a junior in Melbourne in 2012.
“This is super special to me, the last time I played on this court I was 15,” she said.
“This tournament was the start of me being able to live out my dream. I honestly didn’t think that it was possible for me to be playing on this stage.”
On Jan 25, Finland’s Harri Heliovaara and Briton Henry Patten fought back from a set down to win the men’s doubles title, defeating Italians Simone Bolelli and Andrea Vavassori 6-7 (16-18), 7-6 (7-5), 6-3.
Harri Heliovaara (left) and Henry Patten fought back from a set down to win the men’s doubles title.
PHOTO: EPA-EFE
The victory gave Heliovaara and Patten their second Grand Slam crown after they triumphed at Wimbledon in 2024, while for the Italians it was more heartbreak after losing both the Australian and the French Open finals last year.
“Could I have done it without you, Henry? I don’t think so,” Heliovaara said.
“In a team sport, doubles, the most important thing is to find yourself a good partner and I’ve succeeded in that pretty well, not only on the tennis court but outside the court we’re such good friends.” REUTERS
