Mocking rival accuses Djokovic of faking injury

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Novak Djokovic paused to person an wounded treated during an Adelaide International triumph implicit Daniil Medvedev connected Saturday night, but a bid of events that followed formed uncertainty different whether the Serbian superstar was wounded oregon acting.

As Djokovic pieced unneurotic a 6-3, 6-4 triumph to acceptable up an Adelaide International last against the USA's Sebastian Korda, acceptable to beryllium played connected Sunday night, helium departed the tribunal for a little medical, citing an wounded to his near hamstring.

The 21-time expansive slam champion besides appeared hampered by his hamstring implicit the remainder of the match, clutching astatine the tendon and investigating his leg's scope of question connected a bid of occasions.

But Medvedev intelligibly thought Djokovic was feigning the injury, ribbing his rival precocious successful the 2nd acceptable by grabbing his near hamstring and hopping around.

"You cognize what I think?" said erstwhile Australian tennis prima John Fitzgerald connected the Nine broadcast.

"I deliberation Medvedev is insinuating that there's thing incorrect with Novak ... a wry smile, feeling his ain hamstring up high.

"If Novak picks up connected that, helium won't admit it, by the way.

"I'm conscionable getting a spot of amusement present from Daniil," Fitzgerald added.

"He's hip-hopping and jumping connected his near hamstring each clip helium wins a constituent present now."

The enigma deepened erstwhile Djokovic batted distant fears successful his on-court interview.

"Thankfully it was thing excessively serious," the 35-year-old said.

"If it was I wouldn't beryllium capable to continue. So, I conscionable tried with immoderate aesculapian timeout, immoderate inflammatories and benignant of settled successful ... trying to support the momentum going and don't let him to interruption my service ... the longer the lucifer went the much my hamstring was warmer, I guess, and bothering maine less.

"So, hopefully time (for the final) it volition beryllium each fine."

Incredible Novak prevention precedes wounded scare

Djokovic has a dubious wounded history, having been accused of pretending successful anterior tournaments.

The USA's Taylor Fritz claimed Djokovic bluffed an abdominal teardrop during a third-round Australian Open fixture successful 2021.

"If helium was really, truly injured, helium wouldn't person kept playing," Fritz said pursuing the match.

"He looked similar helium was struggling successful the 3rd and 4th (sets). He didn't look similar helium was struggling successful the fifth.

"Maybe helium fought done it.

"I'm blessed for him; helium had specified a bully recovery."

Djokovic's wounded scare connected Saturday nighttime followed the withdrawal of satellite No.1 Carlos Alcaraz, who'd pulled retired earlier successful the time owed to a hamstring issue.

Korda precocious to Sunday night's Adelaide International last due to the fact that his opponent, Japan's Yoshihito Nishioka, retired injured during their semi-final.

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