‘Growing suspicions’ about Novak Djokovic called out in explosive report

Extraordinary claims have been made against Novak Djokovic with petrol being poured on a burning conspiracy theory.

Novak Djokovic simply cannot shake the conspiracy theories that hounded him at the Australian Open.

The 10-time Australian Open champ took the extraordinary step this week of sharing images of a hamstring injury on his Instagram account after his sudden exit from the tournament raised eyebrows.

The 37-year-old pulled the pin on his semi-final contest against Alexander Zverev after a gruelling, 84 minute opening set — and was booed by the crowd as he walked off the court.

The Serbian had entered Rod Laver Arena with heavy strapping on the upper part of his left leg after sustaining the injury during his quarter-final clash with Carlos Alcaraz.

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While he looked nowhere near his best, it still came as a shock when he retired hurt after the first set tie-break.

Angry fans, who paid a minimum of $400, were furious that they had paid so much money to watch one set of tennis and questioned why Djokovic had not taken an injury time out or sought treatment before throwing in the towel.

It’s why the seriousness of Djokovic’s injury has been questioned and why some believe he used the injury as an excuse for his performance.

Some cynics have even claimed Djokovic retired because he did not want one more rare defeat added to his freakish record at the Australian Open — which stands at 99 wins and 10 losses.

Petrol has been poured on those burning suggestions with Rafael Nadal’s uncle Toni having another crack at his nephew’s great rival.

Rafael Nadal and Novak Djokovic.

Toni Nadal, who coached Rafael Nadal for 20 years, has written an explosive column where he has added credence to the view Djokovic had exaggerated the extent of his injuries at Melbourne Park.

The Spanish coach said the jeering Djokovic received in Melbourne was out of line, but also said he understood why spectators were angry.

“Another question is why there was such a protest in the stands,” Nadal wrote in Spanish for El Pais.

“Firstly, I understand that the public showed their disappointment and anger at being deprived of the spectacle they had been expecting after having paid for it.

“The second and perhaps most significant reason is that over the years, there has been a growing suspicion around Novak, due to his expressions or histrionics, casting doubt on the authenticity of his injuries.”

He went on to write: “When a player faces physical problems in such a match, they typically delay the decision to withdraw until the last moment.

“They call the physio, struggle through a few games with limitations and only when realising the inevitable, do they opt for retirement.

“On several occasions, we have seen Novak with similar performances, using facial expressions and body language that contradict what we see on the court, raising doubts about the authenticity of his issues.”

Djokovic has repeatedly said he did everything he could to continue the match but was unable to do so because the pain was “too much” for him to handle.

“Towards the end of that first set I just started feeling more and more pain,” he said on Friday.

“Unfortunate ending, but I tried.”

Novak Djokovic shared an MRI of his injured hamstring. Image: Getty/X

Djokovic hurt his leg late in the first set of his previous match, a four-set victory against Carlos Alcaraz in the quarter-finals on Tuesday night.

“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.”

The Australian crowd’s response has caused outrage around the world with American John McEnroe among those condemning those who booed.

Nadal has also taken a shot at the vocal crowd.

“I believe that a great champion like the Serbian, someone who has contributed to writing the most glorious pages of tennis history, should not depart in this manner from any court and even less so from the Rod Laver Arena, where he holds the records for victories and titles,” he wrote.

Rafa Nadal training with coach Toni Nadal in Brisbane. Pic Peter Wallis.

“Respect, this is my personal feeling, he truly deserves in that difficult moment, without a doubt, of having to leave the court that has seen him triumph so many times”.

He went on to write: “I can only imagine how hard it must have been for him to have to accept such an adverse reaction from the public.

“If it is already difficult to accept that one cannot continue fighting, it must be much more difficult if this is accompanied by the public’s incomprehension.

“I hope that the Serbian tennis player recovers well and that we can continue to admire his incredible game throughout the rest of the year, but also that he succeeds in transmitting to the public the confidence that a champion of his immense stature should have more than earned.”

Nadal’s claims have divided the tennis world.

Outspoken tennis social media commentator “Pavvy G” questioned whether Toni Nadal is the “saltiest person in tennis of all time”.

“Toni Nadal talking rubbish about Djokovic once again today,” he posted on X.

“A reminder that Toni Nadal thought Djokovic could no longer beat Alcaraz anymore. A month later he beat Alcaraz to win the Olympic Gold medal and beat him a few days ago with a torn hamstring.”

Originally published as ‘Growing suspicions’ about Novak Djokovic called out in explosive report