While a certain number of injuries are plausible and even expected for professional players of such a demanding sport, Novak Djokovic seems to be taking it to the next level. With his recent loss to Rafael Nadal at the Barclay’s
ATP World Tour Finals which he blamed on eye problems, one must wonder whether the player might be exaggerating his ailments. Let’s take a look at the number of tournament losses he’s pleaded out of due to injuries, and how he explained them.
2006 French Open: Novak Djokovic gave away a place at the Roland Garros semi-final to Rafael Nadal when he withdrew from the match in the third set, citing lower back problems. He justified this complaint by saying
that he had only been able to serve at 40 or 50 percent of his normal strength. His official statement was, “I don't think it would have been good for me to continue playing with the pain in my back. This is not the only tournament in the year.”
2007 Wimbledon: Djokovic withdrew from the semi-final of the 2007 Wimbledon event against second seed Nadal, complaining of an infected blister on one of the toes of his left foot. He was losing the match with
a score line of 3-6, 6-1, 4-1 and his withdrawal gifted Spaniard Nadal a final match with the Maestro, Roger Federer. His excuse this time was, “I didn't sleep during the night because I had a lot of bleeding and everything, so I was barely walking this morning.”
2008 Monte Carlo Event: This time round, Djokovic blamed breathing problems for inability to play against Roger Federer at the semi-finals. He dropped out of the match after he was a set and a break down. He justified
this drop out by blaming the doctor in the tournament, saying that he had been unable to give him a correct diagnosis. He also added, “I didn't feel good for the last three days. I've been waking up with a sore throat.”
2009 Australian Open:
Djokovic gave up the title for the Aussie event when he dropped out of the event’s quarter final against Andy Roddick, which he was trailing in by 6-7, 6-4, 6-2, and 2-1. He excused himself by saying, “I had cramping and soreness in my whole body. I tried my
best but you cannot fight your own body.”
2010 Wimbledon: Although the Serbian won his match against Lleyton Hewitt with a score line of 7-5, 6-4, 2-6, 6-4, he complained of stomach problems and fever. Hewitt was sceptical, saying, “He’s always got something.”
Djokovic replied to this jab by saying that it was unjustified, and that he hadn’t asked for a medical or physiological time out for a long time.
2010 Australian Open: At this January event, Djokovic complained about a serious case of gastroenteritis after losing 7-6, 6-7, 1-6, 6-3, 6-1 to Frenchman Jo-Wilfried Tsonga at the Australian Open quarter final.
While he said that he did not want to make excuses for his loss, he also added that he had to vomit and that he had diarrhoea right before the match. He added, “After two games (of the fourth set) I had to go to the toilet. I couldn't hold on. There was no
way, otherwise I would throw up on the court... just a terrible feeling.”
Whether the Serbian Number 1 is a hypochondriac or not is up for question, but the fact remains that the player is susceptible to an inordinate amount of physical problems. He may want to consider seeking medical attention for
his ailments or even possible psychiatric help.
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