Serbian tennis star Novak Djokovic registered his 33rd win on the trot after defeating Russian Daniil Medvedev in the Adelaide International semifinal. The 35-year-old suffered an injury scare during the game which forced him to take a medical timeout. But eventually, Djokovic overpowered Medvedev 6-3, 6-4and extended his record in Australia.
In the post-match conversation, Djokovic opened up about the hamstring issue and ensured that it was not a big issue. Djokovic also told that he took some anti-inflammatories during the medical timeout. The use of a drug during the game by the Serb attracted online comments from the fans of Djokovic and his rival Rafael Nadal, both sides accusing the other of cheating.
“Thankfully it was nothing serious. If it wasn’t I wouldn’t be able to continue. So I tried medical timeout and some anti-inflammatories.” Djokovic said after the match. “For some games, I tried to keep the momentum going, and hopefully, by tomorrow I will be fine,” he further added.
“I felt a pulling on the hamstring and I needed some medical timeout and I got one,” the 35-year-old said about his injury and the need to take a timeout. “After that when the pills kicked in, I guess, after few games when it was warm enough, it felt okay,” he continued.
Fans of Novak Djokovic and Rafael Nadal get into a war of words online
Tennis players taking medicines during the matches is not a big issue. They take painkillers and anti-inflammatories to suppress the pain or injury concern during or before the matches. But the case of Novak Djokovic makes the issue more interesting because of his ambiguous stand.
Fans of Rafael Nadal pointed out the dual standards of Djokovic online. There is also a perceived notion that Djokovic takes the medical timeout to distract his opponents. The 21-time Grand Slam champion faced criticism on various occasions due to this.
After the admission of Djokovic Twitter was split between the Nadal camp and the Djokovic camp. Nadal fans pointed out how Djokovic uses time-outs as a distraction and the Serb’s fans countered with their own remarks.
One day he’s going to get caught
— Franco. 💛🐝 (@FrancoIKU) January 7, 2023
He’s doing something
Don’t remember threading any tweet from anybody that Novak takes no medications. Where did you come up with that?
— PJSport (@PJalihal) January 8, 2023
Like the ones Nadal takes? No definitely not. He is Djokovic, not Rafa…
— Djokinho 🐺🃏🐐🎾🐊🇧🇷🏆🇷🇸 (@Djokinho99) January 8, 2023
The best actor in the game hands down 🔥
— 𝕽𝖆𝖎𝖓𝖒𝖆𝖐𝖊𝖗❂ (@Sa_Gwang) January 7, 2023
He is still far better than he doper cheat Nadull who has been helped by dr cottero to legally cheat….
— Sunny_Iskander (@KINGOFKINGS314) January 8, 2023
Better than Dopal's foot injections tho? 🤔
— Djoker (@s0mple_GOAT) January 8, 2023
Sounds like a kid making up a school presentation on the fly
— Tennisboi (@Tennisboi23) January 7, 2023
You mean like ibuprofen? You’re really gonna accuse him of doping over common pain medication while Rafa is numbing his entire foot? 🦶 😅
— I’m the Problem 🐝 (@NotKateSharma) January 8, 2023
You're getting roasted in the section. Lmfao. Doesn't even know anything not surprised for a Dopal fan. Typical behaviour
— AVI 🐚 (@tennisXf1) January 8, 2023
In case you missed it:
Two-time champion Naomi Osaka pulls out of the 2023 Australian Open
