Carlos Alcaraz has been accused of mocking the injury that scared Novak Djokovic's team during their comeback win over the Spanish star at the Australian Open on Tuesday night.
The 24-time Grand Slam champion took a medical timeout to have his left thigh taped when trailing 4-5 in the first set after being broken, before recording an impressive 4-6, 6-4, 6-3. Victory 6-4.
During a change of ends in the third set, Alcaraz was seen limping back to his seat and clutching his upper right thigh before sitting down. He then stood up and continued to favor his left leg and grip the area.
Tennis greats turned commentators John McEnroe and James Blake caught on immediately and interpreted it as the 21-year-old shooting his opponent.
'Novak is kind of in his head and when he was coming to the change here, it seems like he actually… you can see the frustration. He's kind of limping around like… then he gets up and does it again, looking at his (coach's) box and limping. And then obviously he's fine, he just acts like he has some kind of injury there,” Blake said.
“That's what I would do if I was playing with him, I'd be like Novak, I'd go right up to Novak and say, hey man, let's go.” “No joke, I don't blame him,” McEnroe added as Blake said, “It's clearly frustration.”
Djokovic called a medical timeout when trailing the first set of Sunday night's clash against Alcaraz, but recovered to record an impressive four-set victory.
The Spaniard was seen limping and clutching his upper thigh as tennis greats John McEnroe and James Blake watched as he mocked the Serbian's struggles.
Blake said, “He's acting like he has some kind of injury there,” in a comment when he saw the 21-year-old clutching his right leg and favoring his left.
Djokovic is known for his ability to overcome injury setbacks, as he did while battling a wrist ailment at last year's Australian Open before falling to Jannik Sinner in their semifinal.
However, some tennis fans believe that he talks about his injuries as a way to mentally prepare for matches and possibly to use them as an explanation if he loses.
Fans commenting on the Alcaraz incident were divided over whether the Spaniard was mocking the 'Joker' and whether the 37-year-old was exaggerating the severity of his leg problem to call a timeout while he was struggling.
But you have to give it to Novak. He is a master at pretending to be hurt at will and feeling normal later if he so chooses. Carlos was clearly upset with what happened. The performance needs to stop,” one wrote.
'So what you mean is that Novak faked an injury in the first set and lost?! But then he beat Carlos in the other 3 sets because he got a medical timeout? Actually?! 16 years older and his medical timeout won the whole game? Don't be ridiculous seriously,” another responded.
“Alcaraz exposed Fakeovic,” commented another fan.
“The truth is that I did not expect something like this from Alcaraz. “Maybe Djokovic stretched his hamstrings too much and the painkillers took some time to take effect,” said a third.
'So even Alcaraz has noticed Djokovic's feints? “So it's not just the 50 million people who have understood them,” another fan wrote.
Alcaraz's act divided tennis fans, with some accusing Djokovic of taking advantage of his injury to get much-needed rest or to provide an excuse if he lost.
The No. 3 seed's 16-year age advantage over the 24-time Grand Slam champion counted for nothing in the epic three-hour battle.
In the three-hour, 37-minute epic, the Serb defied the 16-year age difference with Alcaraz and took another step towards his 11th Australian Open title.
He also conducted an on-court interview with Channel Nine's Jim Courier after boycotting the broadcaster following the furor over Tony Jones mocking him in a live crossover last Friday night.
“I just wish this match today was a final,” Djokovic told the crowd after the victory.
“One of the most epic games I have played on this court; actually, on any field.
'If I lost the second set, I don't know if I would continue playing.
“I felt better and managed to play a couple of good games to finish the second set.”
Djokovic will now face second seed Alexander Zverev in the semi-final, and if he overcomes him for his 100th Australian Open victory, he could face world number one Sinner or Australian Alex de Minaur for the title on Sunday.