‘Fooled’ – Carlos Alcaraz reacts to John McEnroe’s injury conspiracy theories amid Novak Djokovic’s comeback win
Novak Djokovic is into the Australian Open semi-finals after pulling off a spectacular comeback. The game was not without controversy after tennis icon John McEnroe spoke on the Serbian’s familiar mind games. Novak Djokovic got injured during the first set of his match Djokovic pulled off a huge upset in his comeback win against Alcaraz – after losing the first set 4-6, the Serbian won the next three 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and secured his place in the semi-finals. It was a match the Serbian should not have won, the 37-year-old was limping around Rod Laver Arena at 4-4 in the first set after suffering a groin issue. A medical timeout at 5-4 before losing the set 6-4, it was the 2024 Wimbledon final all over again for the Serbian, where he lost in straight sets to Alcaraz. But the wily veteran defied age once again to recover and impressively win the next three sets and match. His victory raised some controversy as McEnroe, who was commentating on the game for Australian broadcaster Channel Nine, took issue with Djokovic’s timeout. The world No. 7 was seen pulling up on his leg and grimacing during the first set before walking off with the physio. The American wasn’t convinced and told Alcaraz not to be ‘fooled’ by Djokovic. “This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this routine,” the three-time Wimbledon champion said before adding: “Don’t be fooled.” The game saw even more drama when Alcaraz was booed at 3-1 down during the second set after challenging the umpire over a let call. The third seed never seemed to recover, with Djokovic playing aggressively until the pain wore off as he took control of the match. McEnroe thinks Djokovic was up to his old tricks Alcaraz waves to the crowd following his loss The 21-year-old became animated, as he served and forehand collapsed in a game he was cruising in after the first set. The game would end at 00:57 local time after the match lasting three hours and 38 minutes. Carlos Alcaraz weighed in on Djokovic’s injury comeback after the Serbian showed no signs of struggle to win three consecutive sets. “I think everybody saw in the second set he’s struggling a little bit to moving. I . Then the third and fourth set, I didn’t see anything bad from him. So I’m not saying, like, he made a show,” the Spaniard said. “I just saying that, I don’t know. It’s obvious and everybody saw it that he’s struggling in the second set. Then the third and fourth set he showed he was really good.” Andy Murray sat in the box and breathed a sigh of relief after the win as Djokovic roared at the Brit before quickly giving a warm embrace to Alcaraz at the net. The Spaniard was given another warm hug after Murray spotted the world No.3 in the gym, going over to him and consoling him after his devastating loss. The dream of a Career Slam at 21 is over for Alcaraz, the third seed was hoping to break Rafael Nadal‘s record of being the youngest man to achieve the feat. While the four-time Grand Slam champion will have two more opportunities to beat the record, Jannik Sinner continues to dominate the hard courts on tour. The Italian has won the last two hard-court majors on tour and is the clear favourite to defend his Australian Open title this year. Carlos Alcaraz during his press conference Of course, one man in his way is Djokovic, the Serbian is bidding to win a record-extending 11th title in Melbourne. Sinner and the 24-time Grand Slam winner could meet in the final in a clash that would be a repeat of the 2024 Australian Open semi-final. Alcaraz will head to the Middle East for the last hard-court swing before the clay-court season kicks off in May. Djokovic will prepare for his semi-final clash which will be against German second seed Alexander Zverev on Friday.
Novak Djokovic is into the Australian Open semi-finals after pulling off a spectacular comeback.
The game was not without controversy after tennis icon John McEnroe spoke on the Serbian’s familiar mind games.
Djokovic pulled off a huge upset in his comeback win against Alcaraz – after losing the first set 4-6, the Serbian won the next three 6-4, 6-4, 6-4 and secured his place in the semi-finals.
It was a match the Serbian should not have won, the 37-year-old was limping around Rod Laver Arena at 4-4 in the first set after suffering a groin issue.
A medical timeout at 5-4 before losing the set 6-4, it was the 2024 Wimbledon final all over again for the Serbian, where he lost in straight sets to Alcaraz.
But the wily veteran defied age once again to recover and impressively win the next three sets and match.
His victory raised some controversy as McEnroe, who was commentating on the game for Australian broadcaster Channel Nine, took issue with Djokovic’s timeout.
The world No. 7 was seen pulling up on his leg and grimacing during the first set before walking off with the physio.
The American wasn’t convinced and told Alcaraz not to be ‘fooled’ by Djokovic.
“This isn’t the first time we’ve seen this routine,” the three-time Wimbledon champion said before adding: “Don’t be fooled.”
The game saw even more drama when Alcaraz was booed at 3-1 down during the second set after challenging the umpire over a let call.
The third seed never seemed to recover, with Djokovic playing aggressively until the pain wore off as he took control of the match.
The 21-year-old became animated, as he served and forehand collapsed in a game he was cruising in after the first set.
The game would end at 00:57 local time after the match lasting three hours and 38 minutes.
Carlos Alcaraz weighed in on Djokovic’s injury comeback after the Serbian showed no signs of struggle to win three consecutive sets.
“I think everybody saw in the second set he’s struggling a little bit to moving. I . Then the third and fourth set, I didn’t see anything bad from him. So I’m not saying, like, he made a show,” the Spaniard said.
“I just saying that, I don’t know. It’s obvious and everybody saw it that he’s struggling in the second set. Then the third and fourth set he showed he was really good.”
Andy Murray sat in the box and breathed a sigh of relief after the win as Djokovic roared at the Brit before quickly giving a warm embrace to Alcaraz at the net.
The Spaniard was given another warm hug after Murray spotted the world No.3 in the gym, going over to him and consoling him after his devastating loss.
The dream of a Career Slam at 21 is over for Alcaraz, the third seed was hoping to break Rafael Nadal‘s record of being the youngest man to achieve the feat.
While the four-time Grand Slam champion will have two more opportunities to beat the record, Jannik Sinner continues to dominate the hard courts on tour.
The Italian has won the last two hard-court majors on tour and is the clear favourite to defend his Australian Open title this year.
Of course, one man in his way is Djokovic, the Serbian is bidding to win a record-extending 11th title in Melbourne.
Sinner and the 24-time Grand Slam winner could meet in the final in a clash that would be a repeat of the 2024 Australian Open semi-final.
Alcaraz will head to the Middle East for the last hard-court swing before the clay-court season kicks off in May.
Djokovic will prepare for his semi-final clash which will be against German second seed Alexander Zverev on Friday.
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