Toni Nadal, uncle and former coach of Rafael Nadal, has shared his thoughts on the growing skepticism surrounding Novak Djokovic’s injury problems during the Australian Open. Djokovic withdrew from his semi-final against Alexander Zverev after losing the first set, citing a muscle tear in his leg. His earlier match against Carlos Alcaraz, where he took a medical timeout but later played with apparent ease, raised questions about the severity of his injury.
Speaking to El Pais, Toni Nadal expressed doubts, highlighting Djokovic’s remarkable recovery in the quarter-final against Alcaraz. “After showing signs of pain, he made it seem like he could barely continue,” Nadal wrote, yet Djokovic went on to win the match convincingly, leading some—including former player John McEnroe—to question the authenticity of his injury.
Toni Nadal also commented on Djokovic’s decision to retire early in the match against Zverev. According to him, it’s uncommon for players to withdraw after just one set, especially in a semi-final. “He played the first set with normality and no visible signs of pain,” Nadal said, adding that players usually exhaust all efforts, even seeking medical help, before retiring.
Djokovic responded to the doubters by posting an MRI scan on social media, reaffirming that his injury was real. While he has pulled out of Serbia’s Davis Cup qualifier due to the injury, it remains unclear when he will return to the court. For now, the debate about Djokovic’s fitness and the authenticity of his injuries continues.
