Rafael Nadal's uncle and former coach, Toni, has questioned the authenticity of Novak Djokovic's thigh injury that forced the old number 1 in the world to retire in the middle of his semifinal in the Australian Open.
During his explosive column, the 63-year-old Spanish tennis coach, who moved away from working as coach of Felix Auger-Aliassime last year, had added that Djokovic deserved greater respect for fans who had booed him.
The fans had irritated because their semifinal against Alexander Zverev had reached an abrupt end after only an hour and 22 minutes of play, and some had paid more than $ 360 for a ticket to see the 10 -time champion of the Australian Open.
Djokovic seemed to suffer the injury during his epic victory back of the quarterfinals against Carlos Alcaraz, but the interrogation signs had revolved on their physical condition in the days before Friday's semifinal.
While it is possible that he has practiced outside the site, he seemed to give his injury a few days off before his meeting with Zverev.
But during his party against Alcaraz, the 37 -year -old man had faced questions about the veracity of his ischiotibial injury, with Toni Nadal to the matter by stating that the measure has “foster suspicion.”
Ragael Nadal's uncle, Toni (right), has declared that there has been 'a growing suspicion' about Novak Djokovic's injury problems
Djokovic retired from his semifinal clash against Alexander Zverev on Friday, due to a tear of hamstrings
The Serbian (right) copied fans boo inside Rod Laver's sand, but while raising his eyebrows on the injury, Toni Nadal said Djokovic deserved respect
“Personally I feel that he deserves respect at the difficult time, no doubt, to have to leave the court that has seen him win so many times,” wrote the former tennis coach in his column for The country.
'I understand that the public showed their disappointment and anger for being deprived of the show they had been waiting for after having paid for it. But the second reason, and probably the most important, is that over the years, a certain suspicion around Novak has been encouraged, due to its grimaces or histrionics, which has sown doubts about the veracity of its injuries.
'On this occasion, suspicions began to emerge in his quarterfinal match against Carlos Alcaraz. After losing the first set and with obvious signs of pain, the Serbian gave his opponent and the general public to understand that his party could hardly continue. But the reality was that he not only faced the rest of the game with total normality, but ended up winning.
He pointed out that against Zverev he had not looked so much pain during the first set.
“On more than one occasion, we have seen Novak with similar actions, with facial gestures and body language that contradict what we are seeing on the court and that throw doubts about the authenticity of their problems.”
Nadal would continue to explain that he had felt sympathy for the 24 times Grand Slam champion after being booed by spectators inside Rod Laver's sand.
'I imagine how difficult it must have been for him to have to accept such an adverse reaction of the public. If it is already difficult to accept that one cannot continue fighting, it must be much more difficult if this is accompanied by the lack of understanding of the public.
'I hope that Serbian will recover well and that we can continue to admire his incredible game for the rest of the year, but also that he manages to convey to the public the confidence that a champion of his immense stature should have won more than he won. '
Later, Nadal wished the Grand Slam champion a quick recovery, despite raising his eyebrows in the past lesions of Djokovic
Djokovic, however, has lashed out for his critics, publishing a scan of his ischiotibial in the line that showed the reach of damage to his leg
It comes when Mcenroe was not convinced of Djokovic's injury either during his party against Carlos Alcaraz.
'This is not the first time we see this routine. Do not be fooled ', the seven -time Grand Slam champion commented to Channel 9 during his match against Zverev.
Later, Mcenroe had condemned the Boos that Djokovic had received during his party against Zverev, but many fans agreed with his skepticism around the serbian injury.
Some fans resorted to social networks to agree with Mcenroe's comments.
'Djokovic moves as Prime 2011 after pretending an injury. Do not be surprised, published an user X.
“Novak Djokovic pretended injuries every time he is losing and the player has impulse,” another published.
In retaliation of speculation around his injury, Serbian lashed out at his critics on social networks, publishing a screenshot of a magnetic resonance of his thigh on social networks.
Djokovic wrote in X: “I thought I would leave this here for all the” experts “of sports injuries.
Djokovic seemed to suffer the injury during his exciting quarterfinal clash against Carlos Alcaraz
He would continue to reveal that he had suffered a breakage of hamstrings during a press conference.
He did not give him a deadline about when he could return to action, and added that he needed to “examine the injury even more”
The scan seemed to show the damage he had suffered to his hamstrings, with the Serbian affirming after the game that had suffered a muscular tear.
“It is not the first time that I have encountered this type of circumstances,” he said during his press conference after the party.
'It is what it is. You know, the injury is the greatest enemy of a professional athlete. In the past, I achieved certain injuries, such as the one you mentioned, a few years ago that to some extent even helped me play better and win the tournament.
'But it wasn't this time. That's ok. You know, I cannot throw all the memories and incredible results and achievements that I have achieved here over the years just because this year, you know, I retired in the semifinals.
'Still, of course, now just out of the court, I am disappointed and annoying. But at the same time, Australia will always remain in my head, in my heart, as the best blow I have played and acted. Yes, look, when you're on the court, it's adrenaline.
He added: 'I have to examine this injury more. You know, when I return home to Europe, I will meet with the medical team and my physios and try to understand, what we can do and the fastest way to recover and return to the track.
It is not the first time that some ask questions about the use of medical waiting times by the 37 -year -old, with former world No. 8 of the world, John Alexander, claiming some questions turned on the use of times of times of time Djokovic injuries.
“The waiting times of the injuries: if there is an interrogation sign about its greatness in their entire care Podcast ABC last year after a defeat of Alex de Minaur sets in the United Cup.