Sports activities Illustrated’s Jon Wertheim slammed a conspiracy idea claiming that Novak Djokovic faked an damage throughout his French Open round-of-16 win over Francisco Cerundolo as the highest tennis sports activities journalist highlighted that it will make zero sense for the Serb to do this contemplating the circumstances he was in.
On Monday, Djokovic simply gained the opening set of his match versus Cerundolo however then began experiencing knee points early within the second set. And through a dialog with a physio, Djokovic mentioned that he “screwed up” his proper knee.
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Even after a physio go to, Djokovic did not look good on the court docket as his motion seemed to be hampered and Cerundolo went up two units to 1. Then within the fourth set, Cerundolo was additionally 4-2 up earlier than Djokovic’s massive comeback began and an eventual 6-1 5-7 3-6 7-5 6-3 win in simply over 4 and a half hours of play.
It must be famous that early within the fifth set, Djokovic took a nasty fall and did not look glad in any respect afterward.
However after Djokovic overcame a really difficult scenario and created a significant comeback, some conspiracy theorists began claiming that pretending to be carried out was the Serb’s plan proper from the beginning.
Nonetheless, Wertheim shut that down by posing a logical query – why would Djokovic need drama and one other lengthy battle after beforehand enjoying a four-and-a-half third-round match versus Lorenzo Musetti that completed after 3 AM on Sunday morning?
“His final match ended at 3:07 am…He gained the primary set 6-1 enjoying in addition to ever… Then he damage his knee… Everybody likes a superb conspiracy idea. However typically widespread sense has to win out…Why would he wish to drop two units and add drama if he didn’t completely need to?” Wertheim wrote in response to a since-deleted X put up.
His final match ended at 3:07 am…He gained the primary set 6-1 enjoying in addition to ever… Then he damage his knee… Everybody likes a superb conspiracy idea. However typically widespread sense has to win out…Why would he wish to drop two units and add drama if he didn’t completely need to? https://t.co/zW9PxqqsMk
— Jon Wertheim (@jon_wertheim) June 3, 2024
Djokovic thought of retiring towards Cerundolo
After the damage within the second set, the rhythm of the match modified and Cerundolo was the one who began having the higher hand and consistently threatening Djokovic. And after breaking Djokovic within the twelfth recreation of the second set to degree the match to 1 set apiece, Cerundolo additionally broke the Serb early within the third set after which held on to his serve for the rest of the set to go up by two units to 1.
Then, Cerundolo additionally had a 4-2 lead within the fourth set and was two video games away from successful the match – however like many occasions earlier than in his profession, Djokovic dug himself out of a really powerful scenario.
Nonetheless, Djokovic did think about retiring earlier than pulling off an enormous comeback win.
“At one level I didn’t know, to be sincere, whether or not I ought to proceed or not with what’s taking place. I acquired medicines after which after the third set was carried out, I requested for extra medicines and I acquired them,” Djokovic mentioned.
“That was the utmost dose that kicked in, as I heard now from the physician after 30 to 45 minutes, which was simply in regards to the finish of the fourth when issues began to actually enhance for me. I began to really feel much less limitations in my motion. Mainly, the entire fifth set was nearly with none ache, which is nice, you already know. However then the impact of the medicines is not going to final for too lengthy, so I’ll see.”
Djokovic could withdraw from his French Open quarterfinal match
After revealing that he was near retiring injured versus Cerundolo, Djokovic additionally shared that him enjoying towards Casper Ruud within the French Open quarterfinal wasn’t a assured factor.
“Benefit of the slam is that you’ve got a day between that can permit hopefully the therapeutic course of to occur extra effectively for me,” Djokovic mentioned.
“That’s it. I don’t know what is going to occur tomorrow — or after tomorrow, if I’ll be capable to step out on the court docket and play. You already know, I hope so. Let’s see what occurs.”
Throughout his post-match press convention, Djokovic additionally addressed his argument with the event supervisor and his request to have the court docket swept not being granted. When addressing the difficulty, the world No. 1 additionally recommended that his knee damage perhaps might have been averted had the court docket situations been higher.
“I’m simply attempting to know: If a participant is feeling a sure approach, what else do we have to look ahead to, for that to occur? I imply, at this time I injured myself. Sure, I survived. I gained the match. Nice. However will I be capable to play subsequent one?” Djokovic defined.
“I don’t know. I don’t know the severity of the damage. However might have this damage be prevented? Presumably, if there was just a bit bit extra of a frequent care of the court docket through the set.”
