Novak Djokovic's 'Annoying' Injury Doubters Slammed By Former World No. 1
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WTA legend Kim Clijsters is fed up with hearing questions about the authenticity of Novak Djokovic's injuries. The Belgian finds the 24-time Grand Slam champion's critics irritating.
Djokovic felt the need to post an MRI scan showing the tear in his left hamstring from the 2025 Australian Open after some thought he might be faking or exaggerating the injury.
The former ATP world No. 1 shared the MRI after being shockingly booed off the court by some when he retired from his Australian Open semifinal against Alexander Zverev once the pain became too much to bear.
Djokovic tried to be diplomatic when asked about the booing but admitted he was unsure if those who jeered wanted to understand him after being hostile despite his history of winning ten Australian Open titles.
In an appearance on the Served With Andy Roddick Podcast, Clijsters did not hold back when discussing those who thought Djokovic was not really injured, feeling he gets doubted more than any other player.
"The thing with Novak is we have been so used to seeing him get through it all with the recovery things that he does, with his mental strength. It’s almost like we think it’s normal he will heal from this during the tournament and then people question whether he’s telling the truth when it is happening."
"It’s almost like we think it’s normal he will heal from this during the tournament and then people question whether he’s telling the truth when it is happening. That is where I am like it’s already annoying enough when you have a problem, you don’t want people to question whether you are being honest."
Clijsters' frustration is understandable. Djokovic does not have to be a fan's favorite player for them to show respect for his dedication to tennis by not assuming the 37-year-old is faking injury concerns to distract opponents.
The irony of Clijsters's remarks on Roddick's podcast is that the 2003 US Open champion infamously mocked Djokovic's injuries many years ago when the seven-time Wimbledon champion was starting his career.
Djokovic, who was more prone to injuries and illnesses in those early years before changing his training regime and diet, was ridiculed by Roddick when he was 20 years old. Roddick sarcastically said the Serbian probably had bird flu.
The American was not the only one to make such comments. After Djokovic retired from his 2009 Australian Open quarterfinal match against Roddick due to heat stress, Roger Federer said it had happened before and was not something he would do.
It is possible that those comments helped make Djokovic the most statistically successful tennis player ever. Last year's Olympic gold medalist has become known for playing his best tennis when feeling mistreated, and Federer and Roddick may not have made those comments had they known that.
Djokovic's resilience makes the accusations of fake or exaggerated injuries against him particularly absurd. John McEnroe was the most high-profile figure guilty of making such claims when he told fans not to be fooled during Djokovic's Australian Open match with Carlos Alcaraz.
