“What about Rafael Nadal? They all do it, it isn’t just Novak Djokovic”

Fans recently reacted to former Australian tennis player John Alexander questioning Novak Djokovic’s legacy due to the frequency of medical timeouts he takes.

During Serbia’s tie against the Czech Republic at the 2024 United Cup, Djokovic faced Jiri Lehecka in singles. After losing the first set, however, the Serb called for a medical timeout to receive treatment on his wrists. The move seemingly halted his opponent’s momentum, and Djokovic ultimately won 6-1, 6-7(3), 6-1 in two hours and 18 minutes.

Novak Djokovic’s decision to take a timeout sparked controversy and raised questions among spectators and experts alike. Some doubted the World No. 1’s act, suggesting that his intention was to disrupt his opponent’s rhythm rather than genuinely needing medical attention.

John Alexander also questioned the genuineness of Djokovic’s timeouts and said that these medical breaks put a ‘question mark’ over the Serb’s ‘greatness.’

“The injury timeouts — if there is a question mark over his greatness in his entire career, it’s the way he has, in many people’s minds, strategically used injury timeouts,” Alexander said on the ABC Tennis Podcast, via ABC News.

“After the loss of the second set, take an injury timeout to have his wrist massaged for some five minutes, breaking the opponent’s concentration, maybe having thoughts entering into his opponent’s head ‘gee maybe he’ll default, I’m all over for the night’. Then he picks himself up, wins the next five games, wins that third set 6-1,” he added.

Several tennis fans expressed their disagreement with Alexander’s apparent criticism of the 36-year-old, and took to social media to express their opinion.

One fan found it strange that the former Australian pro solely questioned Djokovic’s decision to take a medical timeout when other prominent players such as Rafael Nadal and Juan Martin del Potro have also taken medical timeouts in the past.

“Of course, only Djokovic has medical time outs!!! What about Nadal’s medical time out against Wawrinka in the Oz Open final, when he was trailing? Or what about Nadal’s medical time out before a tie break against Del Potro at Wimbledon They all do it, it isn’t just Novak. And let’s not talk about Tsisipas and Toilet gate,” the fan posted on Reddit.

Another fan questioned whether the Serb would resort to such tactics to win a match in a ‘charity tournament.’

“Ah yes using a mto to win a checks notes united cup match which is practically a charity tournament,” the fan posted.

Here are a few more reactions from tennis fans:

Novak Djokovic: “I’m a very all-around player, I can win any Slam”

2024 United Cup, Novak Djokovic was asked if he would like to replicate his exceptional 2023 season.

In response, Djokovic said that he believes in his ability to win at all times, and that it is a mindset he has cultivated over the years. The Serb added, however, that some…