Novak Djokovic fake injury accusations ‘ridiculous’ – Mats Wilander addresses controversy at Australian Open

Eurosport expert Mats Wilander has blasted the “completely ridiculous argument” around Novak Djokovic apparently faking an injury at the Australian Open with the nine-time champion in quarter-final action at Melbourne Park.

“When you hear people talking in a negative way, it is like, ‘what are you doing?’” Wilander said on Eurosport’s Australian Open coverage.

“It is so ridiculous that you are accusing someone of something like that. First of all, there is no way you want to let the locker room know that you are injured unless you are injured.

“So, to think that it is some kind of fake injury is absolutely ridiculous.

“To me, it’s a completely ridiculous argument. I mean, it is his thing – of course, he has pain; of course, he’s injured. But he can play tennis. That is the only thing that matters to me.”

Henman added: “He [Djokovic] absolutely destroyed De Minaur, but if there was this element of the unknown around the injury, then he comes off court and says ‘I didn’t feel it tonight – now I have the confidence I can go the whole way’.

“That is a pretty strong message on both fronts to the rest of the field.”

Djokovic had said to members of the media at Melbourne Park in response to the accusations from some people regarding the injury that “only my injuries are questioned”.

“I have got the MRI, ultrasound and everything else, both from two years ago and now. Whether I will publish that in my documentary or on social media depends on how I feel. Maybe I will do it, maybe I won’t.

“I am not really interested at this point in what people are thinking and saying. It is fun, it is interesting to see how the narrative surrounding me continues, a narrative that is different compared to other players that have been going through a similar situation.

“But I am used to it, and it just gives me extra strength and motivation. So I thank them for that.”

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