Toni Nadal has voiced concerns over the increasing skepticism surrounding Novak Djokovic’s injuries, a sentiment that has been growing in tennis circles for some time. This came into sharp focus after Djokovic’s controversial withdrawal from his 2025 Australian Open semi-final match against Alexander Zverev due to a hamstring injury.
The 37-year-old Serbian, who had struggled with the injury during his quarter-final clash with Carlos Alcaraz, fought through the discomfort and made a remarkable comeback to win in four sets. However, his movements were clearly hindered during parts of the match, particularly in the second set, which led to doubts from some observers regarding the legitimacy of his injury.
Tennis legend John McEnroe stirred the pot with a pointed remark: “This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this routine. Don’t be fooled.” McEnroe’s comment echoed a growing narrative that some fans and pundits have started to question Djokovic’s injuries, given his history of dramatic on-court displays.
In response to the skepticism, Djokovic took to social media, posting an image of his MRI scan that confirmed a tear in his left hamstring. “Thought I’d leave this here for all the sports injury ‘experts’ out there,” the 24-time Grand Slam winner quipped, aiming to put an end to the doubters’ claims.
The injury has forced Djokovic to withdraw from Serbia’s upcoming Davis Cup tie against Denmark, and his participation in the Qatar Open remains uncertain. As the situation unfolded, Toni Nadal, the former coach of Rafael Nadal and the player’s uncle, shared his perspective in a column for El Pais, shedding light on the growing suspicion surrounding Djokovic’s injury issues.
“Suspicion started to build up during his quarter-final against Alcaraz,” Nadal wrote. “After dropping the first set and showing signs of pain, Djokovic seemed on the verge of quitting, yet he not only fought through the pain but went on to win the match.”
However, Nadal pointed out a contrasting scenario in the semi-final against Zverev, where Djokovic appeared to play the first set without visible discomfort, only to retire after Zverev had secured the set. “Normally, when a player faces physical issues in such a high-stakes match, they play through the pain for a bit, often calling for the physio, until it becomes clear that continuing is impossible. But Djokovic’s decision to retire seemed sudden, which added to the questions about his injury.”
Toni Nadal also addressed the facial expressions and body language Djokovic has displayed over the years during these injury-related incidents, which have often seemed at odds with his actual performance on the court. “We’ve often seen Novak exhibit gestures and expressions that don’t always align with the level of discomfort he’s claiming, leading to doubts about the authenticity of his injuries.”
The tension was palpable when Djokovic retired in front of the Rod Laver Arena crowd, who were clearly disappointed. Nadal acknowledged the fans’ reaction, noting that their frustration was understandable given the high expectations for a match of such importance. “I understand their anger—fans paid good money for the spectacle and were deprived of it,” he said. “But the second reason, which is perhaps more significant, is that over the years, a sense of suspicion has built up due to Djokovic’s histrionics, which has led to doubt over the authenticity of his injuries.”
Despite these lingering questions, Nadal strongly defended Djokovic against the harsh booing he received from the crowd. “A champion of his stature, who has contributed so much to tennis history, should not be treated this way. He deserves respect, especially at a moment as difficult as this, having to leave the court he’s triumphed on so many times,” Nadal concluded, expressing his belief that Djokovic, in such a vulnerable moment, should have been afforded the dignity befitting his legendary career.
The incident at the Australian Open continues to spark debate, as Djokovic’s injury-related retirements remain a divisive topic among fans, players, and pundits alike.