Novak Djokovic made a quick return to on-court action in Melbourne after suffering an injury blow last week against Australia in the United Cup’s quarter-finals.
However, Novak’s swift return did rub some fans off. Fans were left to speculate on whether the injury was even legit or a fake narrative to drive away from his disappointing loss against Alex De Minaur.
Although, Novak had previously spoken on his injury in the tournament exit interview of the Serbian team. He had said that the injury was indeed ‘recoverable’ and that he would be ready to compete again in the Grand Slam. He was also backed by his coach Goran Ivanisevic on the severity of the injury.
Now that he has returned to practice and can be seen playing in his normal tennis form and touch, fans are questioning him and his coach about the injury. Some of these tennis Fans took to Twitter to express their distaste against the Serbian tennis star’s injury return.
One of them wrote :
“Of course. He is only injured when he is losing.”
Another Twitter handle also criticized and questioned Novak’s injury return and even called him a ‘master faker’.
master fakers start doing the faking well in advance.
— Hercules Singh (@claydeath1) January 9, 2024
this is why they call him the master faker.
Many others also labeled the injury fiasco as a ‘fake’ one.
Yeah there was no injury. He just hated being beaten by Alex. Novak the wanker could never just say he was beaten by the better player.
— Vicki Mainard 🇦🇺🕹🏀🐈 (@vmainard) January 9, 2024
His wrist miraculously got better the moment Rafa withdrew from AO.
— TL (@tennis152) January 9, 2024
Everyone knows Faker-ovic.
— H.A.R.S.H (@sin_c__here) January 9, 2024
Fakers will always fake pic.twitter.com/oRK6b5ypw5
— Cyclepsyche (@Crank_n_Pedal) January 9, 2024
‘A manufactured comeback’, one fan wrote giving a narrative that the entire incident might have been plotted well in advance. One fan also wrote that every Novak injury is to garner sympathy from his fans after a loss or setback.
Novak always #fakeNovak injuries to get empathy, sympathy, and pity from the @atptour and the players. This is how he deceives the players, fans, and promoters of these tournaments. @AustralianOpen
— Tim's Truths- DrPH, Health Behavior Scientist (@babyboi2u) January 9, 2024
‘I am like an old-looking car… Vintage’, says Stefanos Tsitsipas, compares himself to the younger generation of Carlos Alcaraz in contention to dethrone Novak Djokovic.
Stefanos Tsitsipas recently compared himself to the younger generation of superstars who stole the limelight from him last year. He also dropped comments on the rivalry between him and the upcoming stars like Carlos Alcaraz.
Last year’s Australian Open runner-up had a somewhat disappointing campaign in 2023. He managed to reach the Finals only once in a Grand Slam and was outclassed by some younger stars coming up.
One of the stars, Carlos Alcaraz enjoyed a successful 2023 season and made a compelling case as the next-generation rival for Novak Djokovic. He defeated him in Wimbledon to capture his second Major.
Stefanos Tsitsipas, however, views it differently. According to him, he’s as capable as Carlos but maybe even better. He said that he just needs his chance against the Spaniard in a major final to prove his case. Also termed himself as a ‘Late bloomer’ at the age of 25.
“The mind is the next big chapter that I need to unlock to give me seven consistent victories. Yes, for sure. I’m a late bloomer. Carlos has two grand slams so far, against Novak and Ruud. I’m waiting for my chance. I’m 25 years old, so I still have plenty of time.”
Tsitsipas further elaborated on the discussion saying that he’s like a ‘vintage old car’ that’s not for ‘show-off’ but is still ‘pretty cool’.
“But I am not that kid that used to hunt for big wins with nothing to lose. Now there are younger kids on the block that want to show off their new cars, and I need to show I’m still here, like Novak, and that this is not over. I still think my old-looking car is still pretty cool. It’s vintage.”
