Tennis star Djokovic complains about unequal treatment

“If some other players are injured, then they are the victims, but if it’s me, I fake it. It’s very interesting,” the platform “tennismajors.com” quoted the 35-year-old as saying. Djokovic is still three wins away from his 22nd major title and the tenth at the Australian Open in Melbourne.

These statements were said to have been made in conversation with Serbian journalists after Djokovic’s round of 16 victory against local hero Alex de Minaur on Monday evening. However, Djokovic also emphasized that he did not feel that he “had to prove anything to anyone”. Nevertheless, he is considering publishing pictures, for example of MRI and ultrasound examinations: “Maybe I’ll do that, maybe not”.

Actually, he “wouldn’t care” about what other people say about his injury. He “got used to it”, it even gave him “extra strength and motivation”, claimed the 21-time Grand Slam tournament winner, “so I thank them for that”. Djokovic meets the Russian Thiem first round conqueror Andrei Rublew in the quarterfinals on Wednesday.

Djokovic had requested a few breaks in treatment in the first laps and repeatedly grabbed his thigh with a pained face and also hobbled after rallies. In the game itself, however, the injury was hardly noticeable. His ex-coach Boris Becker explained that Djokovic’s behavior was “difficult” for the opponents. “Sometimes you get the impression that he’s bluffing. Sometimes you get the impression that he can’t finish the match,” said the Eurosport expert: “It’s kind of between heaven and hell.”