The great Aussie fake off
Novak hits back at claims he’s feigning injury
NOVAK DJOKOVIC has hit back at claims he is “faking” his hamstring injury as he revealed he was fired up by his last Aussie victim’s views on his deportation.
The Serbian superstar will start his quarter-final against Andrey Rublev today (8.30am UK time) as the red-hot favourite after he reported no pain in his left leg during his destruction of Alex De Minaur.
Djokovic, 35, recovered from a side strain to win his ninth title here on his last appearance in 2021. But he has never managed to mend his ability to attract controversy.
And his latest injury scare has caused cynicism with doubles legend Todd Woodbridge claiming he had earned a reputation for “playing up” his injuries.
“I’m not saying it’s gamesmanship, it’s pretty obvious he has a bit of a niggle but at times it looks like it’s about to snap off, so he’s playing it up nicely here and there but that’s Novak,” said the Channel Nine commentator.
Djokovic appeared irritated by repeated questioning about his rapid recovery in his English post-match press conference.
The No.4 seed later told Serbian media he would consider publishing his MRI scans on social media but added: “I leave the doubting to other people – let them doubt. Only my injuries are questioned. When some other players are injured, then they are the victims but when it is me, I am faking it.
“I am not really interested at this point in what people are thinking and saying. It is fun.”
Asked in his courtside interview why he had won so quickly against De Minaur, Djkovic said: “Because I wanted to.”
It had appeared that Djokovic, who was heckled in the Rod Laver Arena, was referring to his hamstring issue.
But the 21-time Grand
Slam champion was later asked about De Minaur’s comments during his deportation drama. The Aussie claimed he was sick of the “circus” around the issue last year”. After reaching his 13th Australian Open quarterfinal, Djokovic said: “I respect him as a rival as I respect everyone. He showed in 2022 what he thinks about me.” Stefanos Tsitsipas maintained his unbeaten record in grand slam quarterfinals with victory over Jiri Lehecka to reach the last four. The third seed made it six from six in the last eight at majors with a 6-3 7-6 6-4 victory over 21-year-old Lehecka and will take on Karen Khachanov in the semi-finals tomorrow. Khachanov progressed after Seb Korda retired with a wrist injury, trailing 7-6 6-3 3-0.
NEAL SKUPSKI won the battle of the Brits against Jamie Murray in the mixed doubles quarter-finals. Both played with US partners, Skupski with Desirae Krawczyk and Murray with taylor townsend. Skupski and Krawczyk won 4-6 6-3 (10-5) to set up a semi-final with Rohan Bopanna and Sania Mirza.