Djokovic Admits He Was 'Provoked' To Publish Injury Proof By McEnroe's Comments
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Novak Djokovic admitted that he published the proof of his Australian Open injury because of the comments made by John McEnroe.
Djokovic is one of the legends of the sport and also the most successful ATP tennis player when it comes to achievements. He has won 99 titles, out of which 24 were Grand Slams.
He also held the World No. 1 spot longer than anyone else, male or female. The Serbian player has countless achievements, which just prove his incredible legacy.
Unfortunately, there were also moments overshadowing his career, most of which none of his rivals had to deal with. In the past, Djokovic was often accused of faking injuries, and it happened again at the 2025 Australian Open.
Maybe it seemed too miraculous that he was able to beat Carlos Alcaraz despite being injured, but his following match against Alexander Zverev proved that he indeed was, as Djokovic retired from the match.
But during the broadcast of the Serbian's match against Alcaraz, John McEnroe raised doubts about Djokovic's injury, which seemingly angered the 37-year-old player.
After the tournament, he published the proof of his injury, and ahead of the 2025 Qatar Open in Doha, the 24-time Grand Slam champion explained why he chose to do that.
Djokovic spoke to the Serbian publication Sportal, admitting that the fact that his injuries were doubted provoked him to publish the proof.
"I was provoked by the fact that several times in a row, as I was injured in Australia, 2021, 2022, 2023, I felt that a large group of people thought it wasn't true and that my injuries were actually some kind of provocation and strategic game, mental with my opponents."
Specifically, Djokovic said that "legends" and "very important people" have commented on his injury, indirectly referring to McEnroe, who was the loudest doubted of the Serbian's health issues.
"I wouldn't have reacted if the legends of our sport hadn't reacted. I think it's okay when some things on social media remain okay, but when it escalates to the point where people have a dilemma and question my integrity and the credibility of what I said."
"Especially from people who are legends of our sport and who have a multimillion audience, then I already felt the need to react and show the MRI scan. I never did that precisely because of the culmination of what happened chronologically on the 21st, 22nd, 23rd, and now."
"Simply put, I'm fed up with those comments and I say the icing on the cake was that these very important people said what they said."
Djokovic has now overcome the injury that bothered him in Melbourne, so he will be able to compete at the ATP 500 event in Doha. He will once again begin his charge to win his 100th career title.
