John McEnroe appeared to suggest that Novak Djokovic intentionally took a medical timeout against Carlos Alcaraz so he could try to throw the Spaniard off his game.
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After the No. 3 seed broke the Serb in the ninth game of the first set of their Australian Open quarterfinal match, the 37-year-old had a physio come out to the court.
After a brief conversation, the record 24-time Grand Slam champion left the court to receive medical assistance for what looked like a thigh/groin issue.
When Djokovic returned, the upper part of his left leg was strapped.
This isnt the first time weve seen this routine. Dont be fooled, McEnroe said on air while sitting in ESPN's booth.
That statement prompted his brother Patrick to ask: Did you see this coming!?
The former world No. 1 responded: "Yes."
Djokovic won but afterward said that he was 'concerned'
After the medical timeout, Alcaraz routinely closed out the first set.
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But the rest of the match was all about the record 10-time Australian Open champion, who stormed back to win 4-6 6-4 6-3 6-4.
Later, the Serb dismissed any claims that he was faking an injury, insisting that he was "concerned."
I will try to do as much as I possibly can with my recovery team, with my physio, today, tomorrow, the next few days. Probably skip training tomorrow. Ill see if Im going to train in two days or not," Djokovic said.
Ill take it day by day. Now its really about recovery. Im concerned. I am, to be honest, physically. But, if I manage somehow to be physically good enough, I think mentally, and emotionally, Im as motivated as I can be."
Since his Australian Open semifinal match against Alexander Zverev is scheduled for Friday, the 37-year-old Serb has two full days to address his injury concerns.
